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MEMOIR , 



JOHN MOONEY MEAD, 



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WHO DIED AT 



EAST HARTFORD, APRIL 8, 1831, 



4 YEARS, 11 MONTHS, AND 4 DAYS 



4DA^S 



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'' Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, 
for of such is the kingdom of God." — Lukf. xviii. 16. 




BOSTON: i/ 

PUBLISHED BY PEIRCE AND PARKER, 

No. 9, Cornhill. 

NEW YORK i-H. C. SLEIGHT, 

Clinton Hall. 

1831, 



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•• Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 
1531, by PziRCE it Parker, in the Clerk's office of the 
District Court of Massachusetts," 



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ADVERTISE xMENT. 



As it is possible some few things are stated in the fol- 
lowing Memoir somewhat different from the recollection 
of others, or from statements contained in letters, writ- 
ten since John's death, in possession of the correspond- 
ents of his parents, it is specially requested, that any 
needed corrections may be communicated to the publish- 
ers, in Boston, or Mrs. Jane G. iMead, in Kast IJartford, 
Ct. Should any person, formerly acquainted with this 
boy, recollect anything particularly interesting, not stat- 
ed in the Memoir, he is solicited to communicate it as 
above, that it may be hereafter inserted. 



PREFACE. 



The following Memoir was written, at the 
request of a number of persons, much engaged 
in the religious education of the young. Some 
of these persons were intimately acquainted 
with the subject of it, and others had heard 
much of him, and had received a favorable im- 
pression in regard to his character. It has been 
examined by several judicious persons — minis- 
ters of the gospel, and others, all of whom unit- 
ed in the request, that it might be published. 

As those, who first proposed this publication, 
all agreed in the opinion, that a know^ledge of 
the manner in which this child was treated, to- 
gether with the results, w^ould be profitable to 
both parents and children, and o benefit to tlie 
cause of education, to conimunicate this know- 
ledge, has been an object constantly in view. 
He is not therefore shown merely as a pious 
child. The character of his intellect, as well 



VI PREFACE. 

as of his heart, is kept before the reader, and 
not only the kind of knowledge communiciued, 
but the manner also of communicating it, is 
shown. No doubt, the sanciification of the 
child should be the first and principal object of 
the parent's solicitude ; but this is to be attain- 
ed by the truth, and a knowledge of the truth 
is essential to its effect. The intellect of ilie 
child therefore must be cultivated, in order to 
reach the heart. Should God grant his blessing 
in his usual manner, it will be found, that the 
benefit will be proportioned to the clearness of 
the child's understanding of religious truth, and 
the happy associations connected with it. The 
manner then of communicating truth, and the 
objects associated with it, are important matters 
for the consideration of parents and teachers. 

Influenced by these considerations, the writer 
has made a book for parents and teachers, as 
well as for children and pupils. How profita- 
ble to either it will be, future events must deter- 
mine. Had the parents of this child expected 
to be called so early to part with their son, they 
would have kept in writing an account of what 
might be profitably made known. No doubt a 
larger and more valuable book might have been 



I 



PREFACE. Vll 

the result. Then the thousand httle things that 
have influence in forming character, would have 
been seen, and the innumerable actions, unim- 
portant in themselves, but which must be known 
to form a riglit estimate of a character, would 
have been presented. But being obliged to 
depend on memory, and not wishing to add 
another to the already too numerous fictitious 
narratives before the public, they have given 
only what is distinctly recollected, and commit 
the work, imperfect as it is, to the blessing of 
God, hoping it may not be altogether useless. 

It is possible, that some things are not stated 
precisely as ihey occurred, but no intentional 
exaggeration is admitted ; and it is believed^ 
that the impression given in regard to the char- 
acter of this child is not more favorable than 
truth warrants. 

Should the prevalent impression, that it is 
impossible for a young child to give evidence 
of piety, be removed from the mind of any, and 
parents and teachers encouraged to labor more 
for the early conversion of those committed to 
them, expecting success, then those who mourn 
the early exit of this lovely boy, will rejoice, 
that he has not lived, or died, in vain. 



VUl PREFACE. 

In regard to the style in which this Memoir 
is presented, there will, no doubt, be differences 
of opinion. If, however, every reader shall un- 
derstand what is written, and be profited, the 
WTiler's object is attained. 



NOTE 



While the following Memoir was in the press, 
the writer of it, and the father of the little child, 
was called to his final account. He died of 
typhus fever, October 26, 1S31, in less than 
seven months after the decease of his son. A 
fact so solemn and impressive ought not to be 
here omitted ; nor the Memoir of the child be 
suffered to go out to the public, without such a 
brief notice of the father as opportunity will per- 
mit us to furnish. 

The Rev. Asa Mead spent his early days in 
Meredith, N. II., where it is supposed he was 
born. He w^as graduated at Dartmouth College 
in 1818, and received his theological education 
at the Seminary in Andovcr. He was several 
years pastor of the Congregational Church in 
Brunswick, Me. Afterward, h.e travelled ex- 
tensively in Maine, New York, and other states, 



X NOTE. 

to plead the cause of Temperance. August 
18, 1830, he was installed pastor of the church 
in East Hartford, Conn., where he buried his 
son, and where his own body lies waiting for the 
morning of the resurrection. Mr. Mead was a 
nervous writer, an animating preacher, an ardent 
and devoted servant of Christ, an active friend 
of every benevolent enterprise, *' a man of God, 
thoroughly furnished unto all good works/' He 
was extensively known and highly esteemed in 
the churches of our Lord ; and many hearts 
have bled on the annunciation of his early and 
sudden departure. But he has not lived in vain. 
He has left many seals of his ministry as a 
preacher of the gospel ; and his efforts, particu- 
larly for the promotion of Temperance and of 
Peace, will be remembered long after he has 
ceased from his labors. Nor will the world have 
occasion to regret that he was the father of such 
a son ; that he lived to train him up so faithfully 
for Christ and heaven ; or that he was spared 
to give us so lucid an exposition of the principles 
on which his education was conducted, and of 
their happy results. How could the father have 
buried his child in such joyful hope, or have 
gone peacefully to his own rest leaving his chil- 
dren behind him in this wicked world, if he had 
not been faithful to his infant charge day by 



NOTE. XI 

day ? Would not every parent thus send his 
children before him to the Saviour's arms, or 
leave them safe in his fold at his own decease ? 
Then let him read this Memoir, and learn how 
to ** train them up in the nurture and admoni- 
tion of the Lord/' And surely the providences 
here narrated admonish him, to "do with his 
might whatsoever his hand findeth to do." It 
is one of the brightest aspects of the present age, 
that the hearts of the fathers are turned to the 
children, and early conversions are multiplied; 
and no one can better serve his generation, or 
more efTectually prepare the way of the Lord, 
than by teaching parents how they may secure 
for their offspring the blessings of the covenant, 
and make them ** a godly seed" in their infant 
days, 

A. R. 



MEMOIR 



John Mooney Mead, the subject of this me- 
moir, was born at Brunswick, in the state of 
Maine, May 4th, 1826. His father was then 
pastor of the Congregational church in that town. 
From his birth, and even before, he was the sub- 
ject of many earnest prayers. The chief desire 
of his parents was, that he might be early con- 
verted to Christ, and wholly employed in the love 
and service of God. 

lie was their first-born, and when they pre- 
sented him in the house of God for dedication in 
baptism, it was with strong desires, that he might 
be wholly the Lord's, and with firm confidence 
in the covenant of grace, as belonging to the 
children of believers thus dedicated in faith, as 
well as to the parents. 

It was their particular desire, that, should it 
please God, he might in due time become a 
preacher of the gospel ; but their prayers were 
generally petitions for his early conversion to 
Christ, and his sanctification. 

In the name selected for him, they wished to 
prepare to exert a happy influence, by keeping 
before him a good example. They therefore se- 
1 



14 MEMOIR OF 

lected that of a man who had been an early and 
most valued friend of his father, well known in 
New Hampshire, as a friend to the fatherless and 
widow ; who then was on the borders of eternity, 
trusting he was about to enter the rest that re- 
maineth for God's people. 

They felt strongly the necessity of being pre- 
pared to discharge the duties of parents, in train- 
ing up an immortal being ; and sought prepara- 
tion by reading some of the best books on early 
education, by frequent conversations with each 
other, and by prayer for wisdom from above, of- 
ten pleading the promise : '* If any man lack 
wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth liberally 
and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him." 

A very considerable part of the value of the 
memoir of such a child, must consist in the addi- 
tion it shall make to the stock of information on 
early education. The reader, whether a parent, 
a child, or a teacher, will therefore have patience 
to read a somewhat particular and minute ac- 
count of the measures adopted with this child, 
and their results. It is hoped it may not be time 
spent in vain. 

The first understanding of his parents with 
each other was, that every thing in regard to the 
management of their child should be matter of 
consultation and prayer, that they would always 
act in concert, so as not to thwart each other, 
and that they would pursue a uniform system, 
always keeping his good in view. 

They regarded him from the first as an immor' 
tal being, who would forever feel the consequen- 
ces of what they should do in relation to him. In 



JOHN M. MEAD. 15 

their conversations it was early and often re- 
marked, that he was acquiring knowledge, and 
forminij habits, for eleruiiy. Nothing, therefore, 
that affecied him, could be indifferent. Even 
what seemed to many trifles, might be of im- 
mense importance to him. 

On this account they commenced, when he 
was only a few months old, withholding from 
him whatever he cried for, and when he was fret- 
ful, they did not pacify him by caresses, or by 
bestowing what he desired, but by directing his 
attention to something else. It was a common 
saying with them, that parents often hire their 
children to cry and be fretful. They give what- 
ever the child demands in this way, and thus 
obtain present relief from his importunity, but 
teach him how to obtain hereafter, whatever he 
may desire , thus subjecting themselves to all his 
caprices, whenever he chooses to make himself 
and them unhappy by his fretfulness. Perhaps 
in no way are more children injured than in this. 
It teaches them to be selfish, and regardless of 
the feelings of others. It habituates them to ob- 
tain what they desire, in the most disagreeable 
way ; and for these habits they must be often 
chastised, and meet with many mortifications 
while young, to subdue tiieir disposition, or they 
are rendered disagreeable and miserable for life. 
A little resolution, early practised and persever- 
ed in, njight have prevent(;d these evils, and even 
saved the j)areiits much trouble, as well as tht; 
child much sorrow. At least, so believed the 
parents of this child, and they have seen no 
cause to doubt its truth. 



16 MEMOIR OF 

The next result of regarding him as an in> 
mortal being was, that his parents began at a 
very early period to give him all the knowledge 
they could, especially religious knowledge, be- 
lieving it would abide 2vith him eternally. They 
often remarked, that they could not make their 
son rich, but they could give him that which 
would be a blessing to him, when all riches 
would vanish. They entrusted him very little 
with others, and as soon as he could understand, 
he was often placed in his little chair by the side 
of his mother, or on his father's knee, to hear 
stories repeated in the simplest language, or lit- 
tle hymns rehearsed, and then explained, w^hen 
he seemed not to understand them. 

Before he could talk plainly, he knew several 
of these hymns for children, and seemed to un- 
derstand them. This was the case also with 
several texts of scripture often repeated to him ; 
and he knew, that Jesus loves to have little chil- 
dren pray to him, because, when on earth, he 
took them up in his arms, and put his hands on 
them, and blessed them, and said, ** Suffer lit- 
tle children to come unto me, and forbid them 
not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." 

The thought, Mie is immortal,' led his parents 
to consider it of great importance to cherish his 
benevolent affections. This they did by endeav- 
oring always to exhibit these affections themselves 
in his presence, avoiding, as much as possible, 
even an unpleasant look or tone of voice, treat- 
ing him, and teaching him to treat others, with 
a constant kindness, and guardiiig against all un- 
necessary occasions of irritation. They found 



JOHN M. MEAD. 17 

him soon imitating their very looks and tones of 
voice, and were convinced, tiiat even these have 
more influence in forming the early character of 
children, than all the good precepts and coun- 
sels that can be given them, when not acted on 
by the parents themselves. Every child has an 
€ye quick to discern, and imitates actions, long 
before he understands rules, and forms habits of 
conduct, before he can perceive the advantage of 
obeying laws. 

Another thing agreed upon by his parents was, 
that they would treat their son as a rational be- 
ing. They believed, that a child can be rea- 
soned with, and made to understand why he 
should do what he is required, or refrain from 
what he is forbidden to do, and this as soon as 
he understands the meaning of the words used. 
How early he will understand language, depends 
on words being always used in a proper manner 
in his hearing. They never therefore talked to 
him in the affected babyish manner common 
with some parents and others, who, when talking 
to a child, use language without meaning, or 
mispronounce words; as if the child could better 
understand mere nonsense, than correct expres- 
sions. All the words used when speaking to 
him, had as uniform a meaning, as when speak- 
ing to adults. The most perceptible effect of 
this was, that from the first, his pronunciation 
was uncommonlv distinct, and his language very 
correct, a circumstance observed with surprise 
by many, till they learned the reason. 

Very early his parents began to tell him why 
they required him to do what he was bidden, and 



18 MEMOIR OF 

he rarely hesitated a moment, whenever he un- 
cerstood the reason. Care was necessary to pre- 
vent his always demanding a reason, however 
prompt the necessary obedience. But this was 
easily prevented, by using, at such times, a tone 
of more decision and authority ; a practice, the 
meaning of which, even a child will soon under- 
stand. 

He was early taught to subject his own will to 
that of his parents. This they endeavored to 
procure, as far as possible, by gentle means, but 
if these failed, they applied the rod of chastise- 
ment. His father well recollects the first and 
only severe contest to subdue his will. It was 
when he was about fourteen months old. There 
is no need to give particulars. Suffice it to say, 
he understood what was required of him, and re- 
fused to obey. Chastisement was inflicted with 
a very light rod, and at short intervals, till he 
obeyed. Then he imm.ediately asked to be tak- 
en up, put his arms round his father's neck, put 
his little face up to his in the most affectionate 
manner, and seemed after this to love his father 
more than ever. The sight or mention of a rod 
was all, for months, that was necessary to pro- 
duce instantaneous obedience. It was found, 
however, that obedience was generally readiest, 
and most cheerful, when the commands were 
given in the mildest and most affectionate man- 
ner, seeming rather to ask, than to demand com- 
pliance. By pursuing this course, his parents 
endeavored to connect obedience with pleasure, 
and resorted to severer methods only when mild- 
er means had failed. If in any instance they de- 



JOHN M. MEAD. 19 

parted from this method, they soon saw re?.son to 
regret it, for he would adopt their tone and man- 
ner in making his own requests, and never seem 
to think it improper. This will probably be ob- 
served in nearly every child, and shows the im- 
portance of care in every thing regarding them. 

From the first, it was understood, that John's 
parents did not allow any one to deceive him on 
any account. No false pretences were allowed, 
no promises made to him without the intention 
of fulfilling them, and no threats which it was 
not intended to execute, if necessary. He al- 
ways therefore expected just what had been 
promised, and on j.he very conditions, and at the 
time specified. If from forgetfulness this was 
not done, he would remind the person of it, and 
perhaps say he had told a falsehood. If his pa- 
rents had failed, they did not hesitate to confess 
the fault, and tell him they were sorry, must ask 
God to forgive them, and do so no more. Some- 
times he thought they failed, because he did not 
understand them; and then they explained their 
meaning, and showed him they had not failed. 
Thus they endeavored, by example, to inculcate 
a sacred regard to truth ; and in vain will parents 
hope to do it in any other way. The child will 
do as he knows they do, and how can they cor- 
rect him for it? 

No one was allowed to frighten Jojin with 
threats, or tales of spirits, or imaginary dangers, 
nor to give him a dread of being alone or in the 
dark ; and till he learned it from other children, 
he never appeared to dread darkness more than 
light, nor to know fear, where there was not real 



20 MEMOIR OF 

danger. He was accustomed, from less than a 
year old, to be put to bed at sunset, and never 
caused trouble during the night, on any account* 
When his usual time came he expected to retire, 
and made no resistance or complaint. 

Before he was two years old, it was manifest 
he had a most ardent thirst for knowledge — a 
strong desire to be acquainted with every thing 
around him. This his parents determined to 
gratify, and therefore explained whatever he 
wished to understand, and answered his numer- 
ous questions, as far as they could, and never dis- 
couraged his asking as many as he pleased. He 
was not put off with a frown, or reproved for his 
curiosity ; but they answered him pleasantly, 
when they could, and when they could not, they 
told him so. 

In the exercise of this curiosity, he learned, 
with very little encouragement, nearly all the 
letters of the alphabet, before he was two years 
old, by picking them out on a stove in the sitting 
room, and asking their names. Those not on 
the stove he learned with very little pains, so as 
to name them all readily, before he was two years 
old. This same curiosity was still indulged, and 
grew in strength daily. He would employ his 
father or mother an hour at a time answering his 
questions, and never seem wearied, while they 
could attend to him. These questions were 
rarely trifling, and generally manifested much 
thought, and some understanding of the subject. 
If an answer was not understood by him, that 
must be explained, till he understood the whole, 
or thought he did, and then he appeared satis- 



JOHN M. MEAD. 21 

fied, and seldom asked the same question again. 
This trait of character is, no doubt, common in 
a greater or less degree, to all children ; and 
needs l)ut to be encouraged to secure a rapid ad- 
vance in knowledge and eminent attainments, at 
least by many. 

The parents of this child never adopted the 
practice of hiring him to do what they wished, 
by giving toys or luxuries. When he had been 
obedient, or had performed very well what he 
was directed, or had done a praiseworthy act 
without bidding, they often gave him a ride, or 
a present of something useful ; or, what he loved 
quite as well, told or read him a story from the 
Bible, or some other book, and informed him, it 
was told him because he had done well. At 
other times his reward was, being permitted to 
carry relief to those in want, or to help his father 
do something useful, in which he greatly de- 
lighted. 

As before remarked, his parents always con- 
sidered his religious instruction of the first im- 
portance, and made it the prominent object nev- 
er to be neglected. It was the custom, from 
about a year old, for one of them to pray with 
him when he went to bed at night, as well as at 
other times; and he was taught, as soon as he 
could spoalv, to repeat the Lord's prayer, and a 
short sim[)le petition for a holy heart, and for 
blessings on his parents, and other relations. 
They endeavored to convince him, that this was 
of no use, unless he prayed in his heart; and 
ihey explained and illustrated what it is to pray 
in the heart, so that he could understand it. 



22 MEMOIR OF 

Their instructions respecting prayer were often 
repeated, and much pains were taken to show its 
importance, and to make it a pleasant employ- 
ment thus to speak with God. 

He was always taught to consider the Bible 
the best of all books, a holy book, God's own 
book ; and the most interesting parts of its his- 
tory were frequently repeated to him in simple 
language, and he was told these were in the Bi- 
ble, and he must learn to read them himself. Of 
these he was never tired, but would sit and listen 
to his mother, as long as she was able to go on ; 
and when she was fatigued, he would ask for 
another story. 

Before he w^as two years old, his father pur- 
chased him a hieroglyphic Bible, to which he at 
once became attached, and by often questioning 
respecting the meaning of its various emblems 
and pictures, he became familiar with most of 
the passages of scripture found in it, even before 
he could read. His attachment to this book 
never appeared to diminish, till he began to read 
in the Bible itself, and then he almost at once 
laid it aside. No doubt it greatly assisted his 
understanding of the Bible. He would often say, 
when he read one of these passages, *^ This is in 
my hieroglyphic Bible." 

From two years old to three, his progress in 
learning to read was slow. His mother could 
give but little attention, at that time, to his in- 
struction ;* and his parents did not deem it ex- 

* It should be recollected that he was at this time very young. 
It is hoped that no parent will consider this a warrant for allow- 
ing older children to be idle^ merely because they seem unwil- 
in^ to learn. 



JOHN M. MEAD. 23 

pedient to urge him forward faster than he chose, 
iest his health might be injured, or he become 
disgusted with reading. When he desired it, or 
was ready cheerfully to receive it, if his mother 
had leisure, he was instructed ; and the object 
was kept before him, by telling him how he could 
read stories for himself, when he should learn. 
During this time his mind was active and in- 
quisitive. His desire to know about every thing 
he saw grew stronger, and his numerous ques- 
tions were answered, and objects worthy of his 
notice frequently pointed out to him. Before he 
was three years old, it was often observed that 
he spoke with remarkable distinctness, and used 
language and expressed ideas common to chil- 
dren twice as old as himself, rather than of those 
of his own age. Even at this age he preferred 
the company and conversation of men and wo- 
men, to that of children, and would often leave 
his play, to sit and listen, and ask them ques- 
tions. Never was there any difficulty in keep- 
ing him still, if he could be acquiring know- 
ledfje. 

From two years old he constantly attended 
public worship on the Sabbath, if the weather 
permitted. He would generally, for the two first 
years, fall asleep in tlie course of the sermon, 
but gave little trouble. It was not expected that 
he would understand what he heard at this early 
age, but his parents wished to give the habit of 
attending the worship of God all the strength 
that early associations could give it. I'hey have 
never doubted the advantage of it, for his desire 
to enjoy this privilege increased to the last, so 



24 



MEiMOlR OF 



that nothing but sickness could induce him to 
stay from it, when permitted to go. 

This attachment to public worship was partic- 
ularly strong the last few months of his life. 
The coldest and most stormy Sabbaths of the 
last winter he insisted on attending, said he could 
go as well as his father — men went, and he must 
go. He often desired to attend the w^eekly fe- 
male prayer meeting with his mother, and when 
there, was uniformly serious, attentive, and much 
interested. 

His father and mother often told him, that God 
saw him, and noticed all he did and said, and 
even the feelings and thoughts he had ; and that 
he noticed them especially iu time of worship. 
They told him, that God requires us to worship 
him in spirit and truth, not merely with words 
and actions ; and if the heart was not engaged, 
all the forms of worship were useless and hypo- 
critical. The result of these instructions ap- 
peared in great seriousness of deportment in time 
of worship, as well as in a strong attachment to 
it in all its customary seasons. Even in his di- 
versions, rarely was he known to trifle with the 
forms or customary language of devotion. 

Sometimes, if he had been disobedient towards 
the close of the day, his parents refused to hear 
him pray, or to pray with him, when he went to 
bed. Nothing grieved him like this. He would 
beg of them to pray for him, say he was sorry he 
had been naughty ; and if they refused, would 
weep and sob, till he fell asleep, apparently des- 
titute of comfort. Sometimes he would be heard 
praying God to forgive him for being so naughty, 



JOHN M. MEAD. 25 

and make him a good boy, and bless his father 
and mother, and other friends. 

It may here be remarked, that he early adopt- 
ed, of his own accord, the custom of praying for 
every one in the family by name, and ever con- 
tinued it daily. 

A little incident before he was three years old, 
will show something of his character then. His 
father was one day absent from dinner, and no 
gentleman was present. When his mother, with 
some otliers, came to the table, he, without any 
thing being said, went to his father's place, stood 
up in the chair, and asked a blessing with strict 
propriety. When dinner was over, he gave 
thanks in like manner. This service he ever 
after claimed the right of perforuiing, when no 
gentleman was [)resent ; and it is not known, 
that he ever failed, when at liberty to perform it. 
His language on sucli occasions was mostly texts 
of scripture aptly applied to the occasion ; more 
particularly was this the case the last year, and 
persons present have often remarked the force 
and propriety with which such a child could use 
the language of the Bible. His friends can give 
no other reason for his commencing this exercise, 
than that he had always seen it performed by 
men, and as no one was present, he considered 
it as devolving on him. We might consider this 
the reason from the fact, that ever after he saw 
the difference, he seldom attempted to imitate 
females, but seemed to think, thut whatever his 
father or other men did, he must do. 

Soon after this his father was sick on a Sab- 
bath, and unable to preach or attend meeting. 



26 MEMOIR OF 

Just before the time of going, John came to his 
mother, and said, '^ Mother, father is sick, must 
I preach to the people to-day?" She asked, 
** What, my son, would you say to them ?" He 
replied, ^* 1 will tell them that ' Jesus Chribt is 
the way, the truth, and the life.' " The passage 
of scripture containing this he had probably heard 
read in family worship, or repeated in his moth- 
er's familiar conversations with him on the way 
of salvation. When he went that day to the 
meeting house, he passed by the pew where he 
usually sat, and went to the pulpit siairs with an 
intention to go up, probably expecting to preach. 
Incidents like the above frequently occurred, 
and caused him to be regarded as an uncommon 
child, wherever he was known, and a profession- 
al gentleman in his native town probably ex- 
pressed the general opinion, by saying, that 
*' John had an old head." He will be remem- 
bered with lively interest for a long time in that 
place. 

When John was about three years old, his pa- 
rents remored from Brunswick, and resided in 
Gorham, in the same state, about a year. For 
some months they were unable to give much^er- 
sonal attention to his instruction. He was sent 
to school ten weeks, which was all he ever at- 
tended, any but a Sabbath School. Although 
he received much attention from the teacher, and 
was very happy with the children, he made no 
progress in learning to read. Whether schools 
conducted on the common plan are ever of ad- 
vantage to children so young, is at least doubt- 
ful. Experience in regard to this child would 



JOIiN M, MEAD. Vt 

go to establish the opinion, that half an hour a 
day, devoted by the mother to her child, is worth 
more than all the instruction he can have at 
school. Of course nothing in this applies lo in- 
fant schools. 

When John was about three years and a half 
old, he began again to show a desire to learn to 
read, especially that he might read those stoiies 
which had been repeated to him from the Bible. 

His father was, that year, from home most of 
the time, and the encouragement offered to him 
was, that if, when he should be four years old, 
he could read a chapter, his father would bring 
him a testament, and would be much pleased 
with him. This was all the stimulus he needed, 
and he applied himself so much to learning, that 
in two months he could read short verses, and in 
four he read a chapter with considerable ease, 
and was very fond of doing it daily. 

From that time he generally read to his mother 
twice a day, either from a school-book for chil- 
dren, or from the Bible, which was his ftivorite 
book. As soon as he read fluently, the time de- 
voted to it began to be one of vigorous mental 
effort for both mother and son ; for he refused to 
pass over a verse, or even a word, that he did not 
understand, till he had sought an explanation. 
His questions were very numerous, and indicated 
much thought and intelligence. ** What is the 
meaning of that word?" *^ What did he say so 
for?" "What did he mean?" "Who did he 
say this to?" "What did they do it for?" 
(Questions like these, suggested by what he read, 
were almost incessant; and if the explanation 



28 MEMOIR OF 

was not intelligible, that must be explained, till 
he thought he understood it. 

Would parents encourage their children in 
asking questions, and gratify them with kind in- 
telligible answers, we have reason to believe their 
taste for acquiring knowledge would be greatly 
strengthened, and many a young Franklin, or 
Doddridge, or Carey, or Henry Martyn would be 
seen early investigating the works of nature, and 
the intricacies of language, and the meaning of 
the word of God. And in what can a mother 
especially be more profitably or more pleasantly 
employed, than in feeding the immortal mind of 
her child with knowledge, and above all, with 
that truth, which is desio^ned to sanctify the soul ? 
The parents of this child now look back to no 
moments with such unmixed pleasure, as to those 
spent in encouraging and aiding him in obtain- 
ing a knowledge of truth. Their only regret is, 
that they did not give n ore attention to it. But 
alas! how many parents devolve this, as a disa- 
greeable task, entirely on mercenary aid, and 
never know, from month to month, whether their 
children are making progress or not, or whether 
they are directed right or wrong. Do they know 
the intensity of a parent's love? Do they know 
the value of the treasure committed to them in 
their children's minds? 

Would children too, who are able to read, but 
modestly and respectfully ask of their parents 
and others an explanation of what they do not 
know, they would find many not only ready to 
assist them, but many that would love them and 
respect them much more for their rational curi- 
osity ; and they would be abundantly rewarded 



JOHN M. MEAD. 29 

by a great increase of knowledge, and of happi- 
ness ; and would be prepared for greater respect- 
ability, usefulness, and happiness in life, and 
probably for eternity. 

It required much patience and steady kindness 
to attend to John's lessons, and explain all that 
he asked, and not to check his curiosity, or dis- 
gust him with the exercise. Often an hour was 
spent in going over ten or fifteen verses. He 
would frequently say : ** Tell nie all you knmv 
about it ;'' and if his parents told him they did 
not knoiv anything about it, he would say ; 
*' Well, tell me what you think,'' or *^ what you 
suppose." 

It is not designed to intimate, that none of these 
questions were unappropriate, or that all were dic- 
tated by a desire to learn the sense of what he 
read, but the most of them were quite appropri- 
ate, and manifested a strong desire for informa- 
tion of every kind. 

This same thirst for knowledge w^as constantly 
manifest, and he rarely heard a conversation on 
a subject mentioned, about which he had not 
some questions to propose, either at the time, or 
afterwards. His eagerness was sometimes so 
great as to cause him to be troublesome, by in- 
terrupting conversation ; asking what was meant, 
or to mention something which the conversation 
had suggested, and to ask information respecting 
it. He would desist at once, when told it was 
wrong; but as soon as an oj)portunity offered, he 
would generally pursue the subject. 

When he was a little more than four years old, 
his father returned from an absence of several 
^2 



30 MEMOIR OF 

months, and brought him not only the testaments 
promised, but also *' Frank, in Early Lessons,'* 
and some others of Miss Edgeworth's works. 
His joy was very great. Be immediately began 
to read in Frank one lesson a day. This opened 
a new field to his view, and gave new energy to 
his thirst for knowledge. On the journey to E. H. 
when his parents removed, he observed every 
thing that passed, and kept them busy explaining^ 
what he saw. 

He now wished to see and learn every thing, 
as Frank had done, and in a few months he, by 
frequent importunity, had induced his father to 
take him to the cabinet maker's, wheel-wright's, 
shoe-maker's, black-smith's, and hatter's shops, 
and to the grist mill, and the paper mill. While 
there, he was constantly attentive to what was 
before him. He would look steadily for some 
time, and then question after question would 
follow, till he was satisfied. It was worth obser- 
ving, that his questions generally related to the 
plainest and simplest processes. In regard to 
complicated machinery, or more difficult opera- 
tions, he did not ?eem to understand enough to 
ask a question, and was satisfied with a very gen- 
eral description. How fully he understood what 
Was explained to him, can only be known by 
his giving, sometimes, afterwards, an intelligible 
account, and perhaps asking questions about it, 
which had not at first been thought of 

This habit of seeking an explanation of what- 
ever he saw, that interested him, he followed 
every where. Many things here named may be 
seen in other children, and they are mentioned 



JOHN M. MEAD. 31 

merely to remind others of the importance of 
keeping alive this desire for knowledge, and of 
directing it to profitable subjects, rather than to 
let it grow wild, and die for want of proper sus- 
tenance, and leave the young mind dull and in- 
different to knowledge, or spend itself upon pro- 
fitless subjects. No doubt the mind, as well as 
the body of the young, requires frequent but not 
long continued exercise, and may i)e trained to 
almost any habits of application. The mind of 
this child was often led, or rather directed, but 
never forced into any channel, and the acquisi- 
tion of knowledge was to him a constant 
source of pleasure, and he seldom needed urging 
on that account. Till he became fatigued, he 
would go on of his own accord, and then his 
parents considered it injurious to press him. 

One instance of his seeking information abroad 
may be mentioned, not as being very uncommon 
but as showing his constant habit. At his soli- 
citation, his father, a few weeks before his last 
sickness, took him to fl. Having some business 
at a little distance, he left him lor a short tin^e 
with the owner ot a store. This gentleman soon, 
by kindness, won his confidence, and when his 
father returned, he found his son questioning the 
gentleman about how the weight, hung to the 
door, shut it. This gentleman has repeatedly 
since mentioned his surprise at the discernment 
and the powers of so young a child. 

The correctness of his language has been men- 
tioned. It is impossible to do full justice to his 
understanding in this respect, without protract- 
ing this memoir improperly. A few months be- 



32 



MEMOIR OF 



fore his djeath, when studyhig the fifth chapter 
of John's gospel, he came to his father, and 
pointing to the 20th verse, read : " Marvel not 
at this, for the hour is coming, in the which all 
that are in their graves shall hear his voice." 
'' Father," said he, " what is that the there for V 
He was told it was the custom to write so, when 
the Bible was translated. He observed: "I 
shall not use it, when 1 recite." 

His father sometimes emploved a leisure mo- 
ment, wlien his son sat on his knee, in exercises 
of grammar, giving him wrong numbers, persons, 
genders, and cases to correct, interspersing 
among them correct expressions. It was rare, 
that he failed immediately to correct the wrong, 
or to retain the right. This he did solely by re- 
collecting how he had heard language used, for 
he had never looked into a book on grammar. 

When about four years old, he began to attend 
a Sabbath vSchool. At first he recited a hymn as 
his lesson, but soon began to commit to memory 
two verses in the New Testament each morning. 
These were generally selected so as to include 
in the lesson for the week some interesting para- 
ble, or narrative. In this way, before he began 
to commit the gospel in course, he recited many 
parts of scripture, of which he was fond to the 
last. 

About four months before his death, his father 
took the entire charge of this part of his instruc- 
tion. He had gradually increased his daily les- 
son from two verses to four or five, and in a few 
weeks he went to seven and eight verses daily. 
These he would often commit to memory in 



JOHN M. MEAD. 33 

twenty minutes, or half an hour. At other times 
it took him longer, according as he felt, or as the 
verses were long or short, plain or difficult to be 
understood. 

He had committed in course nearly all the first 
fourteen chapters of John. The last verse he 
recited was the 28th of that chapter : ** Ye have 
heard. how 1 said unto you, I go away, and come 
again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would re- 
joice, because I said, I go unto the Father, for 
the Father is greater than I." It was the day 
he was taken with his last sickness, and before 
he had finished, a gentleman came into his fath- 
er's study, and he went down and finished reci- 
ting it to his mother. 

In this daily exercise he gave great evidence 
of understanding the meaning (;f words. He 
would often, in reciting, give the meaning of a 
whole verse in different words from those in the 
text, and more frequently he used single words 
synonymous with those read. This was always 
permitted the first time reciting, but after that 
he was requested to recite the very words of the 
writer. Strangers have often remarked, that his 
language was that of a boy ten or twelve years 
old, and few of even that age give such constant 
attention to the propriety and meaning of what 
they say. 

It may be dosirahle to give some account of 
the habitual disposition of this child, as it was 
remarked, that particular attention was given by 
his parents to its formation, even from a vciy 
early period. 

Some persons may suppose, from what has been 



34 MEMOIR OP 

or will hereafter be said, that he must have beeil 
very still, sedate, and averse to play ; but the 
very reverse was the case. Few children are 
uniformly so lively, active, and happy. He loved 
play, and was always active, when not seeking 
information. But never did he seem to take 
such delight in any sport, as when he could in- 
duce his father to spend a few minutes in divert- 
ing him. Then he seemed perfectly happy, and 
his voice would be heard in laughter over the 
house. With children of his own age, and some- 
^vhat older, he generally took the lead; and 
would find them ample employment, but never 
wished to engage in the rough sports of older 
boys. He always preferred exercise that could 
be useful to somebody, to mere sport. 

It was, from the first, extremely rare to see his 
anger excited, and wheri it was moved, a few 
minutes were sufficient to produce entire calm. 
He never retained anger, or indulged in revenge, 
or seemed to remember an injury. The sun 
never went down on his wrath. If denied any 
thing on which he had set his heart, he seemed 
to feel keenly for a moment, but then returned 
to his former cheerfulness, as if nothing had hap- 
pened ; and it was often remarked, that he ac- 
commodated himself to necessary circumstances 
with remarkable ease. 

His affection for those to whom he became at- 
tached, was strong and durable. His love for 
his parents and sisters seemed to know no bounds. 
He did not part with either of them for an hour, 
without manifesting it; and when he met them 
again, it was with uniform pleasure. About the 



JOHN M. MEAD. 35 

time they were expected to return, he would 
watch continually, and run with the utmost ea- 
gerness to meet and kiss them. His parents 
were always his chosen friends and confidants, 
and the expectation of pleasinor them, and mak- 
ing them happy, was the strongest inducement 
that could be used with him. When his father 
was absent, every letter his mother wrote, he 
wished to dictate some message of love, and to 
make some mark, that his father might see. At 
such times the greatest reward he could receive, 
when he had conducted well, was for his mother 
to write how he had conducted ; and nothing did 
he dread so much, as that she should inform his 
father, when he had d )ne wrong, and it would 
make him unhappy. If he had offended, or 
grieved his parents, he seemed very unhappy, till 
he could become reconciled, and see them smile, 
when he manifested great joy. If either of them 
was unwell, he would sit beside them, and wish 
to know if he could do any thing for them, and 
if permitted, would run eagerly to do it. His 
affection for his sisters, as well as his parents, 
was manifested in a thousand indescribable ways, 
every day, and seemed to run into and influence 
all his conduct. For the whole winter, he brought 
his sister in his arms, nearly every morning, from 
the bed to the fire, in anotlier room, saying she 
must not get her feet cold on the floor, and this 
while his own were equally exposed. If he did 
any thing wrong, when abroad, tell him, if he did 
so, people would blame his father, and he rarely 
ever repeated it. Would children be always as 
careful of the happiness and reputation of their 



36 MEMOIR OF 

parents, as was this little boy, they would be sav- 
ed from many distressing feelings, and many bit- 
ter reproaches ; and the blessing of God would 
no doubt constantly attend them. Can there be 
a more lovely sight, than a family dwelling to- 
gether in such unity, each constantly more anx- 
ious for the happiness of the others, than for his 
own ? 

Aniong the most remarkable features of this 
child's character was his habit of self-denial. If 
any thing of which children are fond, such as 
cake, or sweetmeats, or raisins, or nuts, or the 
like, was given him abroad, he would often re- 
fuse to taste it, till he had brought it home, and 
divided it with his sister, and frequently he gave 
her the largest portion. Such little luxuries he 
often laid by for days, and then gave a good part 
away, generally wishing all about him to partake 
a little, as well as himself His parents had tak- 
en much pains to cultivate this disposition, and 
it became a very prevalent motive in his daily 
conduct. He had never been taught to compare 
himself with other children, or allowed to sup- 
pose, that the attainments or the enjoyments of 
others could in any way diminish his own. He 
therefore knew nothing of rivalship, or emulation. 
To know more than others, or to have more of 
any thing, or to be treated better, never seemed 
to be an object of desire, nor was he at all troub- 
led at others being superi )r to him. But one 
instance of jealousy of this kind is recollected. 
His mother gave him and his sister, one day, 
each a piece of cake, and told her, that, as John 
was the oldest, he ought to have the largest piece. 



J 



JOHN M. MEAD. 37 

Soon after, another piece was ^iven to each, and 
the largest piece to her. He immediately re- 
monstrated, saying with great earneslness, ** I 
am the oldest, and the largest piece belongs to 
me." It was given him, when at once it appear- 
ed, that he contended only for what he consider- 
ed right, and not for rivaiship, for he immediately 
gave her a considerable part of his. 

The |)rogress he made in knowledge was with- 
out any stimulus from emulation. He was never 
exhorted to do better than others, or led to be- 
lieve he knew more than other children, or did 
better. To please his parents and to obey God, 
were the motives presented to urge him on, when 
he needed it, except now and then a trifling re- 
ward, generally not promised, as an inducement 
to exertion. The way of knowledge was made 
pleasant to his view, and he eagerly pursued it, 
without thinking whether others were before or 
behind him. 

Can it be needful for any child to have his 
jealousy of others constantly cherished, and his 
selfishness fostered, to urge him to any com- 
mendable attainment? Will it ever make the 
heart better, for a child to be mortified by being 
told of his own inferiority, or rendered vain by 
an idea that he is superior to others whom he 
daily se»:"s ? Is it not cherishing the very spirit 
of the fallen angels ? 

If others told John of his superiority, be was 
not [)Ieased with it. His Sabbath School teacher 
once told him he got the i)est h^sson of any boy 
in the school. He came home, and said, *' Moth- 
er, Mr. P. says 1 get the best lesson of any bov 
3 



38 MEMOIR OF 

in the school. Is it so? A'nt he ftatterrnar me?^' 
This was the manner in which he always receiv- 
ed such expressions. 

His desire to be of some use to others, and his 
determination to do whatever he could for him- 
self, were very early manifested, and being en- 
couraged by his parents, became prominent traits 
in his character. At last he disliked having any 
thing done for him, that he could do for himself, 
or thought he could. Tell him any thing he 
could do, would be useful to any one, and he 
would do all in his power, and appear extremely 
happy, when he had succeeded. To help his 
parents gave him the utmost delight, and he 
rarely seemed to be too m^uch fatigued to attempt 
it. When little more than three years old, he 
would do an errand in the neighborhood with 
perfect correctness, and always return immedi- 
ately. No persuasion or prospect of pleasure 
could induce him to stay, after his errand was 
done, unless he had permission. 

A single instance, selected from many, will 
show what were his habits in this. When about 
four years old, he was sent to several houses to 
invite company to tea. The families were nam- 
ed in a certain order, and the individuals to be 
invited in order. He went to the first family, 
and invited each individual, one after another, in 
the precise order in which they had been named 
to him, although to do it he was under the ne- 
cessity of going out to invite some, and then re- 
turning to invite some whom he had seen. Then 
he went to the other houses in order, and invited 
each individual named as before, all with perfect 



JOHN M. MEAD. 89 

precision. At one of the houses he was request- 
ed to tarry, but replied, he must go to another 
house. This was the last in the order ijamed. 
He went, and did his errand without going in. 
But while the door was open, he saw a bird in a 
cage, which he thought very pretty. Such a 
sight he had not been accustomed to, and he was 
invited, and even urged to go in and see it, but 
he replied, *' My mother told me not to stop," and 
ran home as fast as he could. As soon as he had 
repeated the several answers to his message, lie 
began to tell what a pretty bird he savy, seeming 
much interested. He was asked, ** Did you stop 
to see it?" ** No," was his reply, ** you told me 
to be quick. May I go back and see it, mother?'' 
No instance is recollected in which he failed to 
do an errand correctly, and return as he was bid. 
If when going or returning he was accosted by 
any one, he generally answered without stop- 
ping, and would hold no conversation to delay 
him. 

One day, when going or returning with some 
message, a boy much older than himself met him, 
and began asking him some impertinent ques- 
tions, and to make some rude remarks. John 
looked at him calmly, and said, '' It is very im- 
proper for you to talk to me so," and went on ; nor 
could the boy induce him to tarry a moment, or 
utter another word. 

Children who will follow his exam[)le in these 
things, will be a great blessing to their parents, 
and be very happy in doing good. 'J^here was 
no one of the connnands repeated by John so 
often, as the fifth: ''Honor thy father and thy 



40 



MEMOIR OF 



mother, that thy days may be long in the land 
which the Lord thy God giveth thee," was often 
heard from him. He obeyed it in an uncommon 
degree, and if he had not long life on earth, there 
is the best reason to believe he enjoys a greater 
blessing in heaven. 

Ever after he was four years old, and often 
before, he went ahnost daily to the post office, to 
carry or bring letters and papers, although a part 
of the time half a mile distant, and indeed did 
most of his parents' errands in the neighborhood, 
with the utmost promptness and accuracy. 

I'he feelings of this little boy were very tender, 
and so much excited when told of any one in 
distress, that his parents were obliged to avoid 
telling him, or reading to him, the most affecting 
stories. When told of children who were desti- 
tute of food, he repeatedly refused to eat, so 
much did he feel for them ; and when told of 
children who had lost their parents, and had no 
one to take care of them, he would weep and 
sob, and beg to know what became of them, and 
if the}/ were good, and had God for their father? 

From the time he was less than three years 
old, he voluntarily abstained from the use of su- 
gar, and other luxuries, to obtain a few cents to 
contribute for the relief of distress, or to send 
Bibles and the gospel to the destitute. He was 
never urged to do this, but continued it more 
than two years steadily, although naturally very 
fond of these things. While a cent remained in 
his box, he desired to give something at every 
public contribution, but rarely did he wish to use 
any of his money to purchase toys or luxuries. 



JOHN M. MCAD. 

When a poor person called at tliC house he 
would give all he had, if the person seemed in 
want, or told of children destitute of the comforts 
of life. 

Some of the most pleas?uit visits he made, were 
Qt the house of a poor widow, when he was per- 
mitted to carry her milk, or any other food, and 
he would go tlirou^^h snow, or wet, or cold, for 
this purpose, when he would scarcely go out of 
doors to [>lay. To perform acts of this kind his 
parents never denied him the opportunity, wish- 
ing him early to learn, that doing good was to be 
the business of his life. 

If he heard that a person was poor, the very 
next time lie had an opportunity alone witli that 
person, he would a."«;k if they had thii.gs comfort- 
able, and offer a supi)ly, if answered iti the neg- 
ative. So habitual was this with him, that his 
parents were obliged to avoid mentioning such 
cases, lest by indiscretion he should hurt the 
persons' feelings. So much alive were his sym- 
pathies to the sufferings of others, that it was 
often said he was hardly fit to live in the world, 
where sin and sorrow abound. The last time he 
performed an act of this kind, was about a fort- 
night before his death. A woman called at the 
house, and told a story of distress in her family, 
that touchf'd his feelings. He looked as if de- 
siring to give something, and his mother told him 
he might. His box was handed to him, and he 
took out two thirds of all the mon<'y he had, and 
gave it, and seemed satisfied. Such acts he 
never mentioned even to his father, unless re- 
minded of them, and never seemed to think of 
*3 



42 MEMOIR OF 

deserving credit by them. His delight was in 
doing them, not hearing of them. 

His sympathies were early excited in behalf of 
those destitute of the gospel, and he often de- 
clared, that when he should be a man, like his 
father, he would go and preach Jesus Christ to 
them. It is not knowm, that this was ever told 
him, but at times it seemed the most settled pur- 
pose of his mind, at others he told of preaching 
the gospel to those about him. 

His feelings of kindness to all, affection for his 
friends, and patience under any suffering, in- 
creased by exercise, and very rapidly towards the 
close of his life on earth. Never was his im- 
provement in every lovely trait of character, or 
in knowledge, so rapid, as for a few months be- 
fore his sickness. It was remarked, that the in- 
describable something, which gains the affections 
of every one, and secures by an eloquence that 
no one wishes to resist, whatever it pleads for, 
were becoming more and more discernible in 
him, and gaining atteation every where, and ex- 
citing high expectations among all who knew 
him. 

But the most important part of his character — 
that which, it is believed, gave consistency, mor- 
al worth, and uncommon loveliness to the whole, 
remains to be mentioned. It is not doubted by 
any who had daily opportunities to observe him, 
especially the last (ew months, that he was truly 
pious, and his parents believe he was so from 
very early life. At what time he was born again, 
they do not pretend to say, or even to conjecture ; 
but from what they now recollect, they believe it 



JOHN M, MEAD. 48 

was before he was two years old. At that age, 
from the nature of the case, evidences of piety 
must be quite ambiguous, but the steady growth 
of principles prevalent in later life can be traced 
to even that early period. We should remember, 
that axhild will not appear like an adult. How- 
ever pious, he is still a child, and his piety will 
appear connected with all the playfulness, and 
every innocent action of childhood, many of 
which would be altogether unbecoming a Chris- 
tian of adult age. True religion is seen in the 
pure and benevolent spirit, with tohich the apprO' 
priatc actions and duties of each age, and each 
situation are performed ; and conduct in every 
respect suitable to a pious adult, is as inappro- 
priate to a pious child, as that of a child to such 
an adult. Is there not a very generally prevail- 
ing error on this subject, and much injury done 
by expecting too much from children who seem 
to have pious feelings? Are they not often too 
readily given up, on seeing lightness and play- 
fulness in them, instead of being held up and in- 
structed, so as to lead them in the way of holi- 
ness? Is not this well worth the serious consid- 
eration nf parents. Sabbath School teachers, and 
ministers? Does not the restraint imposed on 
the young, when they appear ready to attend to 
reliijion, often render it irksome, and thus repel 
them into the regions of error and sin? 

It was observed, that John was eirly a child 
of much prayer, and when his parents gave him 
np to God in baptism, it was with strong desires 
for his early conversion and sanctification, to- 
gether with much coafidence in the covenant of 



44 Memoir op 

grace, as belonging to the children of believersf 
thus dedicated. They felt, that they'had solemn- 
ly devoted this child to God, and bound them- 
selves to educate him for God's service. In per- 
forming this duty, they endeavored to give him 
a knowledge of divine truth, while very young. 
The fundamental doctrines of Christianity were 
taught him as soon as he could understand them, 
and explained and illustrated in various ways, till 
he seemed to know what was meant, and to see 
the duties involved in these doctrines. He was 
told often, that God made and supports every 
thing ; that he is every where present, and knows 
all we do and think ; that he loves those who are 
good, and condemns the wicked ; that all are 
from the beginning sinful, and must repent, and 
become good, before they can please God ; that 
we should always be sorry, when we sin, and 
pray for Christ's sake to be forgiven ; that we 
should believe all we find in the Bible, and love 
God on account of his goodness, and love men 
because he commands it : that we should obey 
all his commands, and pray to him for all we 
need, and thank him for all we enjoy : that Jesus 
Christ died to save sinners, and will give eternal 
life to all w^ho come to God by him. These, 
with other important truths, such as, that the 
soul will never die ; that we must all give account 
of our life at the day of judgment ; that the bo- 
dies of all will be raised, and the righteous w^ill 
be eternally happy, and the wicked eternally 
tniserable, were early taught him, so as to influ- 
ence his daily practice. 

Very early he began to pray, first in a simple 



JOHN M. MEAD. 45 

verse taught him, then to use the Lord's prayer, 
and as that is too comprehensive to be readily 
understood by such a chihi, he vvas taught to add 
a simple petitiDu for a holy heart, and that God 
would bless him, and keep him alive, and bless 
his father, and mother, and other friends. He 
was told to ask God for whatever he might need ; 
and to remember he is always present, and knows 
what we pray for, and whether we really desire 
him to give it us. 

His pirerjts endeavored to teach him what is 
meant by praying in the heart somewhat in the 
following n)anner . '* My son, if you are hungry, 
or if you wish very rqnch to go with us, when we 
ride, when you ask for something to eat, or to 
ride, you feel earnest about it. This asking in 
earnest, is asking in your heart. So if you ask 
any thing of God earnestly, you pray in your 
heart." Other qualities of real prayer were illus- 
trated in the same manner, but with more words. 

The winter before John vvas two years old, a 
female prayer meeting was held weekly at his 
father's house, and he generally spent the time 
in the room with those who met, and knelt with 
then) in [)rayer. Soon he vvas (observed atternpt- 
inj to pray in a corner of the room by himself. 
Within a year he was known frequently to retire 
for prayer, and genertilly engaged in it of liis own 
accord, when he lay down at night. This was 
continued with scarcely any interruption ever 
after. I'his might be considered merely an imi- 
tation of the practices of his parents, if it had not 
been continued, and coiinected with many other 
indications of piety, and attachment to religious 



46 MEMOIR OF* 

duties. His attachment to public worship has 
already been mentioned. It is not recollectedj, 
that he was ever unwilling to attend a religious 
meeting, however much fatigued. Generally he 
counted it a very great privation, if prevented 
attending. 

Family prayer he seemed to expect as m.uch 
as his daily bread, and could hardly be made to 
believe any one would omit it. This appeared, 
when he was between two and three years old, 
on one occasion perhaps worth mentioning. His 
father was absent one morning, and there being 
company, his mother did not conduct family 
worship. Soon after the usual time, passing 
through the room where he and a domestic were 
sitting, she saw they had each a book, as was 
common. Knowing what they expected, but un- 
prepared to pray, she sat down and read in the 
Bible. John then knelt. She asked him, ** Do 
you wish to pray, my son ?'' *' Yes," was his 
answer. ** You may say your prayer." 

He repeated the Lord's prayer, and continued 
on his knees. She asked, '* Do you wish to 
pray? — Mother feels that she cannot this morn- 
ing." He repeated the Lord's prayer again, and 
continued still kneeling. Seeing they did not 
move, he turned to the girl, and sard, *' Mary, 
kneel," then to his mother, and said, ** Mother, 
kneel." She asked, *' Do you wish me to pray, 
my son ?" He replied, ''Yes." She took hirn 
by the hand, and told him they would go to her 
chamber, and pray. At this, he seemed over-^ 
joyed. 

It will be readily supposed, that this was not 



JOHN M. MEAD. ^ 47 

forgotten. It taught his parents the importance 
and necessity of entire regularity with such a 
child, and never to omit a duty, if they would 
have him regard it properly. 

Incidents of this kind abound in his life, but 
to mentio.T here one more will suffice. 

When he was about four years old, his mother 
carried him on a visit to a relative in P, The 
family consisted of an elderly gentleman and la- 
dy, tiie former not a professor of religion. The 
day after they arrived was the Sabbath. There 
was no family ^prayer in the morning, and his 
mother had retired to her room, leaving him with 
the family. About the usual time of morning 
prayer he took a Bible, laid it in a chair, read a 
few verses, and knelt down and prayed. He 
asked, that the Lord Jesus would be with his 
people that day, and bless them, and give them 
repentance for sin, and faith in him. He prayed 
for several things beside, expressing most of his 
petitions in scripture language, and with the ut- 
most solemnity of manner. His mother came 
into the room just before he closed, and found 
the aged couple in tears. The lady soon after 
informed her, what he had prayed for, and said 
she never heard a prayer that affected her so 
much. Slie seemed almost sure, that this child 
had been sent there for her husband's salvation ; 
but it is feared tho impression on his mind was 
not enduring. The next morning the same duty 
was performed, while his mother was present, 
and her impression was, that his prayer was as 
appropriate as many heard in a social prayer 
meeting. 



48 MEMOIR or 

The young woman who lives with his parents, 
says, he never omitted asking a blessing and re- 
turning thanks at the table, when his father and 
mother were absent ; and it is certain he was 
never told to perform any such thing. On such 
occasions his prayer consisted of a few well cho- 
sen expressions from the Bible, or allusions to 
Bible history. As a specimen, the words of one 
such prayer may be given. It was uttered a few 
months before his death, when he sat down to 
dinner with two females. ** O Lord ! bless us, 
and bless this food. Give us new hearts. And 
O Lord ! make us perfect and upright, as thy 
servant Job was." This last expression he had 
never heard at table, but he had within a short 
time read the first chapter of Job, and appeared 
much interested in it. This may likewise show 
something of his habit of remembering and ap- 
plying what he read. 

At an early period in life he was accustomed, 
when told he had done 'wrong, to retire to a cor- 
ner of the room, and sometimes to another room, 
and pray for pardon, and that God would make 
him a better boy. This was at first suggested to 
him, but became so common, that it was feared 
at one time, he might regard it rather as a pen- 
ance than a duty, and it was not encouraged on 
every occasion. When he had offended in any 
matter of importance, one of his parents retired 
with him, and after admonition and prayer, and 
if absolutely necessary, a gentle chastisement, 
he was left alone, to repent and pray for pardon. 
He would spend some minutes alone, and then 
return to his parents humble, and seek a recon- 
ciliation, when lie seemed very happy 



JOHN M. MEAD. 49 

The last lime he was ever punished for a fault, 
his mother retired with him, and told him she 
must wtiip him, as she had threatened in case he 
should commit the fault, of which he had now 
been guilty. This he always dreaded very much, 
and now he begged, and promised, and wept, but 
his njother told him she must do as she had de- 
clared. When he found he could not prevail, 
he suddenly stopped, and said, ** Well, if you 
toiU whi[) me, kneel down and pray first. '* After 
prayer he submitted without the least complaint. 
His mother then determined, that she would not 
again use the rod, except in some extreme case. 

During the last year or two he was frequently 
heard m a room alone, praying for himself or 
some other person, and couwnonly continued sev- 
eral minutes in the exercise, his prayer consist- 
ing uiosily of such passages of scripture as he had 
heard used in prayer, or had lately read, and which 
seemed to him appropriate ; and they were gen- 
erally repeated one after the other in proper or- 
der, connected by his own words. From frequent 
exercise in tliis duty, he had become quite ready 
in the use of the appropriate laniruage of prayer, 
and seldom a[)pearc(l at a loss lor words. The 
same remarks will apply to the prayers which he 
made with his sister, and when he was permitted 
to pray with either of iiis parents. One of the last 
times when he prayed with his mother^ he con- 
tinued near five minutes in an appropriate man- 
ner, without any want of thoughts or words, with 
great apjiarent serii)usness and 1" eling, and with 
entire confidence in the promises of God which 
he recollected. 
4 



50 MEMOIR OF 

It should not be understood, that there was 

never any thing in his prayers, that would have 
been improper in tliose of a man, or that they 
were geueraJly equal to tliose of a pious person 
of intelligence and riper years. They weie the 
prayers of a child, but of one deeply impressed 
with gospel truth, and uncommonly well ac- 
quainted with the language of scripture and of 
prayer. 

From his father's employment, no doubt, he 
first received the impression, that he should be a 
preacher of the gospel, and began early to hold 
meetings w-ith his sister, and other small children, 
generally with great apparent seriousness. His 
discourses delivered from a chair, or some other 
elevated stand, sometimes continued several min- 
utes, and showed great retentiveness and prompt- 
ness of memory, and a clear understanding of 
many parts of scripture, and of v.hat he had 
heard in public worship. His parents did not 
discourage this practice, but took occasion from 
it to impress his mind more deeply with the aw- 
ful solemnity of God's worship, and the impor- 
tance of treating the gospel with deep reverence, 
and likewise to correct any faults in his enun- 
ciation. His sentences were generally pronoun- 
ced in a clear, natural, and forcible manner, with 
much animation, and showed much liveliness of 
fancy, and some good taste in the selection of 
language. 

His impressions in regard to his being destin- 
ed for a preacher were early and abiding. Be- 
fore he was four years old, his mother asked him, 
at a time when she was writing to his father, 



JOHN M. MEAD. 51 

what she should write, as his word. He replied 
without the least hesitation, ** Tell my father, his 
son is growing up to be a minister of the gospel 
of Jesus Christ." On this subject nothing had 
been said to him for weeks. 

It may be proper here to give an instance of 
his discernment in regard to the conduct proper 
for Christians. When he was about four years 
old, his uncle, at tea one evening, was repeating 
some remarks he had heard against the tempe- 
rance reformation. John asked, ** Why do you 
talk so, S. V 

His uncle asked, ** How ?'* 

J. ** By talking such things.'* 

^. *' How should I talk, John V 

J". ** About Jesus Christ, who died on the cross 
to save sinners. If you love Jesus, you will talk 
about him. I think you don't love Jesus." 

His uncle asked, why he thought so. 

J. ** Because, if you loved him, you would 
talk about him ; and you don't talk about him, so 
you don't love him." 

At this time his mother wrote to his father, 
then absent. ** This evening J. has been much 
affected by the account of Mr. Richmond's two 
children, who died, and asked with tears when 
he would die. On my answering, that he must 
die sometime, but God only knew when ; he 
asked, if he would go to that wicked })lace? He 
was much affected for so young a child. I know, 
that it is possible all this goodness may pass 
away, like the early dew, yet I cannot but hope, 
and sometimes feel assured, that the work of 
grace will be early in his heart." 



52 MEMOIR OF 

If his piety may be judged by the test which 
he applied to his uncle, tiiere can be no doubt, for 
scarcely did a few hours pass without his raying 
much about the Saviour. He seemed constantly 
interested in his character, and this increased 
most rapidly for a few months before the close of 
his life. 

From an early time of life it was manifest, that 
John thought much while silent, especially on 
religious subjects, and prepared his questions 
with deliberation, and determined to be satisfied 
before he left the subject. 

When between three and four years old, his 
mind at one time seemed much employed in 
thinking of death and the grave. After being 
silent f )r some time one day, he asked how [)feo- 
pie got out of the grave. He was told the spirit 
is not there, and the body is but dust. Some 
time alter he suddenly asked : 

*' Mother, what kind of body am I going to 
have, when I rise from the dead ?" 

Immediately the fifth chapter of the first epis- 
tle to the Corinthians was read to him. But he 
was not content without asking numerous ques- 
tions, and having the whole cleared up. When 
he ceased, he was asked if he understood it. He 
answered, ** yes," and appeared satisfied on that 
point nearly ever after. His mother could not 
at once tell where he had received the idea of 
the resurrection, but soon recollected, that seve- 
ral months before, on the deatii of a child in the 
neighborhood, she had told him something of it. 

After he began to attend public worship on 
the Sabbath, he was rarely if ever absent, when 



JOHN M. MEAD. 5S 

the Lord's supper was administered. He was 
extremely attentive during that service, and at 
times appeared in deep thought. After this he 
asked much about this sacrament. He quoted 
at one time the Saviour's words : ** This is my 
flesh," and ** This is my blood," &c. ; and seem- 
ed to think it was the real flesh and blood of 
Christ, that tlie communicants partook of. His 
mother told him the bread and wine represented 
the flesh and blood of Christ, and illustrated her 
meaning by showing him the print representing 
the late Dr. Payson, whose memoir she happen- 
ed to have in her hand, saying, ** This picture 
represents Dr. Payson, but you see it is not he." 
But he maintained his point, saying, ** Christ 
says, * Except ye eat my flesh, and drink my 
blood, ye have no life in you.' " His mother ob- 
served, he would make a good Lutheran, and left 
the subject for another time. 

For several months before his death, he was 
very desirous to partake of this sacrament, and 
repeatedly spoke of his desire to his mother. She 
told him she feared he did not love the Lord 
Jesus Christ, and was not prepared, but he in- 
sisted, that he did. She then told him, that 
when he arrived at a suitable age, if he gave evi- 
dence of love to God, he should partake. He 
repeatedly asked his father, vvhen the people 
would eat the body, and drink the blood of Christ 
again. 

His parents had avoided leading his mind to 
any of those doctrines of religion, which are hard 
to explain to a young or uninformed mind, en- 
deavoring to keep his attention on the »impU 
#4 



64 MEMOIR OP 

facts recorded in the Bibje, and the duties there 
made known. But although the facts were pre- 
Sv^ijted separately, he would bring them together, 
and make his own inferences, and conchisions. 
He was taught to pray to God, " Our Father who 
art in heaven." He had read in the first of 
John's gospel, ** The Word was with God, and 
the Word was God," and he was informed that 
the Word is Jesus Christ. These he brought 
together in the following manner. One morning, 
when he had slept with his mother, he waked 
her, and then lay some time silent, when he 
commenced : " Mother, there are two Gods." 
She replied, ** No, my son, there is but one only 
livincr and true God." He said, " Yes, there is, 
two Gods." She said, *'No, but one God." But 
he insisted on his point, saying, *' God our Father 
is one God, and Jesus Christ is one God, and that 
makes two Gods." This made it necessary to 
explain this mystery, as far as possible. 

At another time he suddenly broke silence, 
saying, '' Mother, God is a sinner." 

She exclaimed, ** God a sinner ! What do you 
mean, my son?" 

J. ** I mean, God is a sinner." 
M. ** What makes you think so?" 
jr. ** Because God made us, and we are sin- 
ners, and so he must be a sinner." 

His parents knew not where to look for this 
connexion of thoughts, unless it be traced to an 
original propensity of mind to expect a similarity 
between cause and effect. It may be, that some 
idea of hereditary depravity had been given him, 



JOHN M. MEAD. 55 

and he drew this conclusion from that, but it is 
not known, that this was the fact. 

One instance selected from many may serve 
to show how he heard preaching. Wnen about 
four years old, he attended the religious anniver- 
saries in Maine. In one of the sermons the 
name Jehovah was used. He was sitting by his 
mother's side, and, looking at her, whispered, 
** Who does he mean by Jehovah?" She repli- 
ed, **God." He asked, ** Why don't he say 
God^ then ?" When attending meeting, he would 
often be seen looking round, as if inattentive to 
what was said, but some time after, it would ap- 
pear by his remarks, that he had licard and un- 
derstood the discourse, and remembered much 
of what he scarcely seemed to heed. 

Some months before his death, he heard, at 
meeting, the hymn beginning, '* Life is the time 
to serve the Lord.'' It fixed his attention, and 
when he came home, he requested to have it 
found for him, and read it, till he could repeat 
the whole. Ever after, it was his favorite hymn, 
and he repeated, and tried to sing it, on almost 
every occasion, where he needed a hymn. A 
few other hymns he noticed in the same way, 
and committed to memory. The last was that 
beginning, ** Come Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove." 
In this way too he learnt many texts of scripture, 
which lie often repeated, telling who had repeat- 
ed them, and where he had heard ihcm. This 
was encouraged by his parents, as likely to in- 
duce him to be more attentive to preaching, and 
to every duty of devotion, and at the same time, 
storing his mind with divine knowledge. 



56 MEMOIR OF 

When the family removed from G. to E. H., 
a boy, son of the minister of the former place, 
with whom John was well acquainted, was very 
sick, not expected to recover. For him he was 
very anxious, often prayed for him, and inquired 
if he would go to heaven when he died. The 
boy died a few months after, and when John 
heard of it, he was deeply affected, and asked 
many questions about his piety, and what had 
become of him, whether he was happy in heaven 
or not. When told it was hoped he had become 
a good pious boy before he died, he seemed sat- 
isfied, as if he considered this the only important 
consideration. After this lie frequently took the 
newspaper containing the account of this boy's 
death, and conversed about him, and two other 
boys, who had died, before, in the same town, 
saying, that three of his companions were gone 
to eternity, and wishing to know, if they were 
happy in heaven. 

In the month of February there was a confer- 
ence of churches in E. H., continuing a part of 
three days ; and before the close a revival of /e- 
ligion was manifestly in progress. John took a 
most lively interest in this meeting, and although 
it was extremely cold weather, he attended steadi- 
ly, forenoon and afternoon, appearing to listen 
with great intensity. Christians were much 
awakened, and no one more than this child. 
From that time, his progress in religion was very 
rapid, and scarcely any other subject could fix 
his attention for any time. His conversation 
with his parents was from that time almost ex- 
clusively religious. He would often break off in 



JOHN M. MEAD. 57 

the midst of his most interesting play, and begin 
to speak of some rcliijious truth, or some event 
interesting to the Christian heart, and wished, 
more than ever, all the information he could ob- 
tain respecting the truths and events of our re- 
ligion. 

In the course of the meeting, the Rev. Mr. M. 
made an address to parents, and related an anec- 
dote of a woman who had a sick child, that beg- 
ged her to pray for her. The mother replied 
that she could not. The child entreated, and 
could scarcely be consoled, when the mother re- 
fused. John's feelings were much excited, es- 
pecially, as he hoard the child died without hav- 
ing any one to pray for her. He came home, 
and related to his mother, with many tears, what 
he had heard, and added, '* O mother, I wish I 
had been there, I would have prayed for her." 

Soon after this, the young woman living with 
his parents appeared convicted of sin, and in dis- 
tress. Conversing with his mother, John asked, 
** Why don't she repent, and believe on the Lord 
Jesus Christ?" 

The next day, seeing her in tears, he asked 
her what was the matter. His mother hearing 
him said, ** She is anxious about her soul." 
" Well," he replied, '* why don't she give herself 
up to Jesus Christ? lie died to save sinners." 

Her case continned to interest him much, and 
he frequently exhorted her to give up her heart 
immediately to the Saviour. Once, when he 
asked luj^ if she had done it, she replied, '* No." 

J. " WTell, why don't you ?" She said, ** I 
can't, John." 



58 MEMOIR OP 

J, '^ You must pray." 

She asked, ** Can't you pray for me?'* 

J. *' The Bible says we must all pray for our- 
selves.*' 

But he did often pray for her, and once, when 
at prayer in a room by himself, he was heard 
praying, *' O Lord, bless that ^irl in this house 
named R. who is anxious about her soul, and 
g[WG her a new heart, and, O Lord, make her 
holy, and prepare her for heaven." It may be 
here remarked, that he had adopted, contrary to 
the custom he had uniformly witnessed, the prac- 
tice of praying for every individual by name, 
probably as conveying, in his view, a clearer and 
more direct understanding of his meaning. 

Whenever his father returned from visiting the 
anxious, he was much interested to hear of those 
who hoped they had been born again ; and seem- 
ed much engaged every where, conversing much 
about the truths of the gospel, heaven, and the 
state of the blessed there. The young woman 
living with his parents, says, that for some time, 
every morning when he came from his bed, he 
repeated the Saviour's words: *' The hour is 
coming, in the which all that are in their graves 
shall hear his voice, and shall come forth, they 
that have done good, to the resurrection of life, 
and they that have done evil, to the resurrection 
of damnation.'' This may show something of 
the direction of his mind ; but it is impossible 
for one not with him, to know^ how much his 
thoughts ran on subjects c)f this kind^ or how 
constant was their influence on his wnole con- 
duct for weeks before his sickness. No one else 



JOHN M. MEAD. 59 

can see the expression of his animated counte- 
nance, while conversing on religion, or the in- 
tensity of his application while he listened to 
others, nor know how frequently be alluded to 
these topics, nor observe the earnest, though 
gentle, manner With which he urged others to 
perform their duty to God, and secure the salva- 
tion of their souls. To know how much iuflu- 
ence the principles of religion exerted on him, 
they must have seen him at his play, and heard 
his conversation while in bed, and especially 
when he sat with his mother, when no other per- 
son was present, and heard his constant language. 
Then they would have said, ** His conversation 
is in heaven," and he is rapidly fitting for its 
blessed society, and its happy abodes and em- 
ployments. 

A few weeks before he was taken sick, the 
only son of a neighbor died. He was a fine, 
amiable, intelligent boy, about twelve years old, 
much doated on by his family, and beloved by 
all who knew him. John heard of his sickness 
and death, and when his father attended the fu- 
neral, he was so very anxious to go, that he was 
permitted. In conversmg with the mourners, 
his father remarked, among other things, the 
danger of parents making idols of their children, 
that is, loving them more than God, especially 
when they are uncommonly amiable and intelli- 
gent, and said, that God would, most likely, in 
mercy, take away from his children whatever 
they loved more than him. 

This funeral made a very strong impression 
upon John's mind. He looked with great earn- 



60 MEMOIR OP 

estness at the body, and seemed in deep thouorht 
some time after he returned home, when he sud- 
denly asked, '• Father, do you make an idol of 
me ? Do you h>ve me more than God ?" 

Many of his remarks, till his sickness, showed 
that he felt a lively interest in that boy s case. 
The same evening his mother conversed freely 
with him about death, and the necessary prepa- 
ration for heaven. He seemed confident, that 
he was prepared, and should go to heaven, when 
he should die; and this because he knew he lov- 
ed the Lord Jesus Christ. He asked many ques- 
tions about the boy, whose funeral he had attend- 
ed, and seemed much to regret, that he could 
learn but little of his religious character. 

One incident, which came to the knowledge of 
his parents, after his death, will show his fear- 
lessness in what he esteemed duty. The cir- 
cumstances are here given, as reported to them. 
One day his mother sent hmi an some errand at 
a distance. Several boys were playing in the 
street, some of whom asked him where he was 
going, and he told them. Soon, one of them-, 
seeing him crossing the street, in the direction 
of a store, where a boy, perhaps ten years old, 
was attending, told him that was not the way to 
the place where he was sfoing. He replied, " I 
know it, but I am going to tell that boy there, 
not to sell rum, for it is wicked, and my father 
says it is. He went to the door, and tcjld the 
boy, '' It is wicked for you to sell rum, my father 
says it is, and I say it is, pnd you had better be 
at school.'' This was entirely of his own motion, 
neither did he ever tell his parents what he had 



JOHN M. MEAD. 61 

done. They heard it as coming from the boy 
reproved. His father recollects his asking, some 
time before, if it was wicked to sell rum, and 
that he answered, he thought it so. 

Some of his last prayers, previous to his sick- 
ness, were considered, at the time, remarkably 
solemn and appropriate, consisting mostly of 
passages of scripture, aptly applied. It is recol- 
lected, that he prayed much for sanctification, 
and fitness for heaven, frequently using the ex- 
pressions, '^ Sanctify me through thy truth, thy 
word is truth," and *' Give me a holy heart, and 
fit me for heaven." 

Might it not be well for older children, and 
even adults, to reflect on the example of this lit- 
tle boy, less than five years old, and inquire, 
whether they are as well prepared for sickness 
and death, and to meet their God ? Do the read- 
ers ot this^ perform every duty as fearlessly, and 
seek as constantly to be united to Christ by a liv- 
ing faith, as he '? Are they as much engaged 
for the souls of others, and is their conversation 
as much in heaven ? Let each remember, that 
only they who have the spirit of Christ, are his, 
and only such as keej) his commandments will 
have a right to the tree of life, and will be re- 
ceived at last into the holy city. Let each then 
live in the constant performance of every duty, 
and so be prepared for his last end. 

It now only remains to give an account of the 
sickness and death of this dear boy. All his 
loveliness, and intelligence, and piety, and prom- 
ise of usefulness in the world, could not shield 
him from this common lot of all the descendants 



62 MEMOIR OF 

of fallen man. In this war there is no discharge, 
but the people of God, even if little children, 
will conquer death itself, through the blood of 
the Lamb, and the word of their testimony. 

March '^d, nis sister was taken with canker 
rash. Jolin was extremely kind and attentive to 
her, often lying down with her, ar)d condoling 
her, and even seemed desirous to have the dis* 
ease, that he might bear her company. For 
three days he imagined sometimes, that he had 
it. On the fifth, while in the morning learnmg 
his usual less(»n in the Testament, he complain- 
ed to his father, that he was sick. He was told 
it was probably imagination, and was directed to 
go on with his lesson. He obeyed, but a few 
minutes after, looked up and said, ** I am sick, 
father, certainh/ ,*" at the same time smiling, but 
looking very pale. He was told to go down, and 
soon the physician was called, who prescribed 
the usual medicines with apparent success, so 
that in a few days he was relieved, and in ten 
appeared quite well, except that he was feeble, 
compared with what he was in health. His 
father then went to New Haven, to attend a four 
days' meeting, and John went, at his own desire, 
to visit a family in the parish, and tarried several 
days. He came home on Sabbath morninor, 
when the family came to meeting, and although 
he looked pale, he was so anxious to attend pub- 
lic worship, from which sickness had kept him 
three sabbaths, that he was permitted, and went 
all day. He was very attentive and solemn dur- 
ing worship, and repeated the text and another 
verse connected with it, when he came home. 



JOHN M. MEAD. 65 

This was a somewhat common practice, although 
never imposed on him as a task. 

During this visit, severiii things transpired, 
that show the direction of his thoughts, and the 
nature of liis feelings. He was ol)served to he 
mere still and reserved in the presence of the 
adults of tiie family, but when only the younger 
children were present, he was talkative, and often 
introduced religious conversation. At one time 
in particular, he was heard exhorting these chil- 
dren, in the most solemn and earnest manner, to 
repent, and prepare to meet their God. He re- 
peated many of the most solemn warnings of 
God's word, and s(ierned so earnest, as if he 
would take no denial, but was bent on leading 
them to repentance. One of them asked him, 
**VV( at shall 1 do?'' He replied, *^ Vou must 
pray.'' She said, ** I do." He answered, " But 
you do not pray enough. A thousand times 
would not be enough for me." He had several 
such conversations with them during the visit. 

When about to leave the house, he said, ** Now, 
H. and C, 1 shall be taken sick, and die, and 
you must remeuiber what I have said to you. 
You must remember my dying words." It is not 
known how he came by that impression, but so 
his words proved, to these children. They never 
heard his voice again. Had his friends thought 
him in immediate danger of death, these, and 
other children, would hjive been invitc'd to see 
him ; but he was gone before the opportunity 
occurred, and they will meet him n^xt in etcMiii- 
ty. May it be a happy meetnig, in the kingdom 
of heaven. 



64 MEMOIR OF 

When he came home that morning, he said^ 
^' I shall never go to Mr. R.'s again." His moth- 
er asked, '^ My son, what do you mean ?" He 
then, noticing her surprise, and perhaps thinking 
she disapproved of what he said, remarked, ** I 
shall not go there for ten years." 

That evening he conversed on religion with 
his usual interest and intelligence. 

Monday, his neck appeared swelled, and he 
complained of being unwell, saying he was sick 
in his legs, and lay down on the carpet, as if fa- 
tigued. Gentle cathartics were administered, 
and an ointment applied to the neck, which re- 
duced the swelling, but Tuesday, he grew worse, 
and the physician was called. He appeared ill 
danger of lung fever, but medicine produced a 
good effect, and Wednesday, he appeared better. 
Thursday evening, he was suddenly attacked 
with an excruciating pain in the left side. So 
severe was the pain, that he could with the ut- 
most difficulty refrain from shrieking. A blister 
had, on Tuesday, been applied to his chest, and 
he was told it was to relieve pain, and although 
he suffered much from it, he now begged his 
father to put on another blister. The doctor 
came just at this time, and applied a blister, and 
administered medicine which gave relief from 
the pain. When sick before, he had been loath 
to take medicine, but now, he took it with readi- 
ness, when told what it was for. That night he 
desired his father to take care of him, and ap- 
peared much pleased when told he would not 
leave him. He desired his father to pray, that 
he might be holy, and fit for heaven, and rested 



JOHN M. MEAD. ' 65 

some in sleep. The next day he appeared better, 
and that and the next day talked much, seeming 
very animated, especially when speaking of re- 
ligion. He was frequently requested not to talk 
so much, but soon ibrgot ihe caution, when his 
countenai ce would assume a most animated ex- 
pression, his eyes sparkling, and his voice in the 
sweetest tones uttered the feelings of a [leart full 
of his favorite subject. At one lime, alluding to 
his conversation with the children in his last visit, 
he said, ** Mother, I spoke my words of death to 
11. and C." 

She said: ^^ Your words of death ! my son, 
what do you mean ?" 

lie replied: ** I mean my words of death. I 
told them, if they did not repent, and love the 
Lord Jesus Christ, they would not go to heaven. 
1 told them they ?nust love Jesus Christ, and if 
they did not, God would laugh at them, for he 
says: *' I will laugh at your calamity, and mock 
when your fiear cometh." 

Here his countenance appeared lighted up 
with the most animating interest, and he used 
a strong emphasis, and brought down his hand 
with an emphatic gesture. He continued : ** I 
told them if they did not love Jesus Christ, they 
would go to hell, and God would sa) to them 

* Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared 
for the devil and his angels.' But J told them, 
if they did love the Lord Jesus Christ, they 
would go to heaven, and he would say to them; 

* Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the king- 
dom prepared for you from before the founda- 
tion of the world.'" 

*5 



66 MEMOIR OF 

His mother asked him : ^^ Did you really say 
so, John ?" 

He answered : ''Yes, was it right mother?" 

She feared at the time, that his disease had 
affected his memory, and he had only intended 
to say it, or imagined he said it. This had 
early been the tendency of his mind, and till 
within a year, he did not seem fully in his nar- 
ratives, to distinguish between what was real, 
and what he had dreamed or imagined. But 
within a year he had become very particular in 
regard to truth, and so careful that it was with 
difficulty his parents could induce him to pro- 
mise any thing positively, and unconditionally^ 
he seeming to fear he might fail in the fulfil- 
ment, and be guilty of falsehood. He would 
therefore say, when asked if he would do any 
thing at a future period : '' I will endeavor to," 
or : *'I think 1 will." His mother did not know 
but by reason of his disease this caution might 
be forgotten, but on inquiry of the family where 
he was visiting, and of the children v;ith whom 
he conversed, it was found, that he had used this 
language, and much more of like import, and 
with great earnestness and solemnity, as though 
determined not to give over, till he should lead 
those children to repentance. Will not the read- 
er join with the writer in the earnest prayer : 
*' God grant, that his efforts may not be lost on 
those for whose salvation he appeared so earnest, 
nor upon others who may read this narrative ?" 

Had his parents supposed John so near his end, 
they might have recorded many striking sayings 
uttered during these two days, and would have 



JOHN M. MEAD. 67 

more frequently encouraged a full expression of 
his feelings on many occasions. But as his 
lungs were inflamed, and his body growing weak- 
er, they deemed it necessary to repress his dis- 
position to talk, and as they hoped to see their 
son well again, they kept no notes of his con- 
versation, and are obliged to depend on their 
memory, and that of a few friends who were 
with them, for what is here recorded. 

The same day, he had been lying silent some 
time, when he said : ** Mother, I shall want my 
father called to see his dear son die.'' 

She said, ** I hope, my son, you are not 
going to die. We hope God will spare you to 
us. How wretched we should be without our 
dear son.'' 

J. ** Well, when I come to die, you will call 
my dear father out of the study, won't you ?" 

M. ** Yes, my son, if we think you in that 
situation, your father will not leave you." He 
appeared satisfied. 

It is not pretended to account for his abiding 
impression, that he would die. His parents and 
friends all expected him to recover, and no con- 
versation is recollected that could have given 
him the impression ; but it is doubtful, whether 
he ever, for more than a few minutes, thought it 
likely he was to be well again, or that he desir- 
ed it, except now and then when encouraged by 
others. 

John's attachment to his father had ever been 
very strong from infancy, and was manifested on 
every occasion. Frequently, during a few months 
before his sickness, it seemed he could not find 



68 MEMOIR OF 

words to express his affection. If his father was 
from home, he felt very lonely, and the moment 
he was seen returning, he would meet him, and 
express the greatest joy at seeing him. When- 
ever he sat down, John would come round him, 
and as soon as opportunity offered, climb into 
his lap, and putting his face up to his, repeat 
in the most affectionate tones : *' Dear father ! 
My dear futhcrV This affection appeared to 
the last in his constant desire to have his father 
with him, and his willingness to take from his 
hand whatever he was requested. If he appear- 
ed uneasy or impatient, his lather's presence 
would almost always calm him, and if unwilling 
to take a medicme, a ^^s^^ words of reasoning 
from him removed all objections. The greatest 
unwillingness vvas overcome by his father telling 
him he must go out of the room and leave him, 
if he would not take the medicine, and even this 
was not necessary but once. When his father 
could hold him up, he always seemed most 
happy. 

The afternoon of the day of the last mentioned 
conversation, he said : *' Mother, I shall be a 
young preacher. I sliall have two kinds of ser- 
mons, one to the righteous, and one to the 
wicked, and when my father is taken away, I 
shall preach them to this people. I shall tell 
them to love the Lord Jesus Christ, or they 
won't go to heaven." He was reque.^ted not to 
say any more, but his mind seemed all the time 
in vigorous action, and it was difficult to keep 
him within the bounds of prudence. That 
night he appeared so much better, that at his 



JOHN M. MEAD. 69 

request the family took tea in the room, where 
he was, and he sat at the table with them. The 
physician then could see nothing in the way of 
a speedy recovery. 

The next day his disease took another unfavor- 
able turn, but still the danger did not appear 
great. His parents did not, however, neglect 
to converse with him frequently respecting the 
necessity of being always prepared to meet God. 
It never moved him in the least, to tell him he 
might die, nor did he once* manifest any unplea- 
sant apprehensions at the thought, or the least 
unwillingness to meet death at any time. His 
father often proposed, when alone with him, to 
pray, asking him what he should pray for. 
Several times he replied : " Pray, that I may be 
holy," or, '^ Pray, that I may have a good 
heart." When asked if he prayed for it in his 
heart, he always replied : ** Yes." 

It is not recollected, that he ever was unwill- 
ing to hear the Bible read, or to unite in prayer, 
however much he was suffering at the time, al- 
though it sometimes required great effort to a- 
void groaning, or to keep still during prayer. 
Repeatedly, while sick, he requested his mother 
to read the Bible to him, and to have one of his 
parents pray with him, and was always desirous 
to have family prayer in his room. This attach- 
ment to the Bible and to prayer had been stead- 
ily increasing for years, and now it seemed his 
delight to draw near to God, in whose service 
he hoped to live eternally. 

Would it not be well for young and old to 
keep in mind, while forming habits for life, and 



70 MEMOIR OF 

perhaps for eternity, that those much attached 
to praver, while in health, who have never neor- 
lected it in its proper seasons, have generally 
found their sweetest coiisoldtions in it on their 
sick and dying bed I How lovely such habits 
and attachments are in a sick child, no one can 
know but those who have watched such an one 
in his moments of pain and distress, and heard 
expressions of love to God, and resignation to 
his will flowing from his lips. The comfort the 
recollection atfords to mourning relatives, is 
known by those who, like the parents of this 
lovely boy, have seen their fondest earthly hopes 
cut off in the death of a pious praying child. 
It sweetens sorrow, it removes the dread of 
death, it enables them to bless God for taking 
the loved one from the pains, and temptations, 
and sins and sorrows of this world, to the bless- 
ed rest of heaven. 

hi affectionate children think of the feelings 
of their kind parents, should they be called to 
the grave early, and prepare to give them com- 
fort in the hope of meetin^f them in heaven. 
Should this little book be the means of leading 
one soul to such a preparation, this beloved 
child's death will not have been vain. 

Let parents too think of this, when forming 
the character of their children for life, for death, 
for the judgment, and for eternity. 

The morninj after the conversation above- 
mentioned, while his mother was sitting by his 
bed, John began to speak : " Mother, I feel as 
if I could stand there."' 



JOHN M. MEAD. 71 

M. '' Where, my son V 

J, *' There.'' 

M. *' Stand where, my son ?" 

J, ** At the judgfnent seat of Christ." 

M. It appears, tiiat he had been thinking 
of it, and did not at first consider, that she did 
not understand as well as he, what he meant. 
She asked him : ** Who will be your surety 
there?" Tlie moment she used the word surety, 
she thought he would not understand its mean- 
incr, and was about to explain, but he replied : 
**God." 

M. ** In whose righteousness do you expect 
to be accept(!d ?" 

J. ** Christ's." 

M. '* Do you expect to be justified in Christ's 
righteousness, or to stand there because you 
have been a good boy ?" 

J. ** I expect to be justified in Christ's right- 
eousness." 

It should be here stated, that the words he 
used had been frequently explained to him, and 
he had heard them used and illustrated, till he 
seemed to fix a definite meaning to them. The 
evidences of a pre[)aration to meet God were 
stated to him, and he as usual asked questions, 
but they arc not particularly recollected. 

Either in this conversation, or another about 
the same tiuie, he was asked why we might hope 
to be justified in Christ's righteousness? lie 
rej)lied *' Because he died to save sinners." 

M. ** Why do you h()[)e for this ?" 

J. " Because I am a sinner." 

He uniformly maintained, that he repented of 



72 MEMOIR OF 

his sins, and believed in Christ, and his par- 
ents recollect not the least reason to doubt his 
entire habitual confidence in ail the declarations 
of God's word. He always appeared to acton 
the conviction of their truth, as much as on the 
truth of what his father or mother said to him. 
Such unhesitating, unsuspecting confidence is 
rarely seen even in old Christians. He seems 
never to have learned to doubt them. 

Within a few months of his death he had re- 
peatedly called his mother to his bed after he 
retired at night, and requested her to tell him 
all she knew about the children in heaven, re- 
ferring to the Saviour's words : *' Suffer lit- 
tle children to come unto me, and forbid then 
not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." 
While sick, he again desired her to tell him oil 
she knew about them and particularly what they 
did in heaven. When she had finished, he said : 

*^ I WISH TO JOIN THAT COMPANY OF CHIL- 
DREN AROUND God's throne." His mother 
asked : '* Are you willing to die, and leave your 
dear father and mother, to go and join them ?" 

He replied with perfect calmness : *' Yes." 

Other things were said, daily manifesting the 
same feelings, while he was every hour shewing 
the liveliest attachment for his parents, and 
seemed unwilling to have them out of his sight 
for any long time. 

One day his father was sitting on the bed, 
holding him up, as he often requested, when he 
said : *' My son, we hope you will get well, but 
it may be God's will, that you shall die. Are 
you willing ?" 



JOHN M. MEAD. 73 

J. '' Yes/' 

F, '* Where will you be, my son, if you die V 

J. ** Where God pleases to put me." 

F, '' Are you willing he shall do with you as 
he may please ?'' 

J. '' Yes." 

F. ** Do you often pray to God in your 
heart?" 

J. '' Yes." 

His father could at the time discover no rea- 
son to doul)t, that lie understood fully what he 
said, and felt as he expressed nimself Neither 
on mature reflection has he discovered the least 
evidence to the contrary, or any reason to doubt, 
that this was the habitual state of his mind dur- 
ing his sickness. It should be kept in view, 
that every one about him, all this time, expect- 
ed him to recover, and so expressed themselves, 
when they spoke to liim. Wdl not many an old 
Christian feel reproved by the submission of this 
babe in Christ ? Should we doubt in the case 
of an adult, who uniformly used such language, 
and lived consistently with it, that he was pre- 
pared for a happy eternity ? Would it not con- 
stitute the happiest reflections of pious mourn- 
ers, that the tljoughts of the father, or mother, 
or dear cr)mpanion were in heaven, to which 
the soul looked with the utmost calmness, de- 
siring to be with Christ, and the saints around 
God s throne? And what reason can be given, 
why even httle children should not cause the 
same joy by such conversation ? Why should 
not parents and children labor and pray, that 
they may talk with God like Samuel, and be 
G 



74 MEMOIR OF 

consecrated to him from infancy like Jeremiah, 
and know by experience his truth and love 
from a very JittJe child, like Timothy? What 
can make them so lovely, so dutiful, so happy ? 
What can so secure them against the temptations 
of life, or fit them so well for a sick and dying 
hour ? 

John had always, especially within a few 
monihs, been very attentive to his father's con- 
cerns, and seemed determined to know all he 
could learn about them, and to help him all in 
his power. It was for months a common saying 
in the family, when his father was absent, and 
they wished to know where he had gone, or 
what he had been doing, or when he would re- 
turn : '* Ask John, he knows all about it ;" and 
it was rare, that he could not give the desired 
information. He had told much before his sick- 
ness, of helping his father in the garden, when 
the time should come, and when first taken sick, 
he requested him not to do all the planting, be- 
fore he should get well to help him. But about 
the time of the last conversations mentioned, he 
appeared to lose all interest in this, and every 
earthly concern. He never after introduced 
conversation about them, and if others did so, 
he would not continue it, but seemed perfectly 
indifferent to it. 

As many as three times, when his parents 
and the physician thought him getting better, 
the disease, without any assignable cause, sud- 
denly put on a new and unexpected form, and 
became more violent. But as it seemed to yield 
to the operation of medicine, and his constitu- 



JOHN M. MEAD. 75 

tion had been good, and he complained but lit- 
tle, except when attacked anew, [lis parents ex- 
pected his recovery till the last hour of his life. 
On this account tliey held fewer conversations 
with him towards the last, and kept no record 
of what he said, so as to preserve the order of 
time. He was feeble, and it caused him pain 
to talk much, and they hoped for better oppor- 
tunities. Like many others, they put death at 
a distance, and neglected to do what they now 
wish had been done ; but the opportunity is for- 
ever gone. 

Several times, however, he commenced con- 
versation himself,always about religion, or heaven, 
or something connected with them ; and his fa- 
ther or mother checked him, lest he should injure 
himself. What is recollected will now be given, 
without any certainty as to the order of lime. 

At one time as he was sitting in a chair, and 
his father standing by him, he looked up with 
a most affecting expression, and laboring for 
breath, said : ** Father I think God is carrying 
on a work." His father asked : ** Where my 
son?" He replied : ** In my heart." He seem- 
ed willing and desirous to converse, but as his 
lungs were then weak and inflamed, he was re- 
quested not to say more. 

One day during the last week of his life, his 
mother being about to pray with him, asked him 
what she should pray for. He replied : *' That I 
n)ay be recovered to health." 

M. '* Should 1 not rather pray, that God's 
will may be done ?" 

J, '' Yes." 



^6 



MEMOIR OF 



M, *' Are you willing I should pray, that 
God's will may be dune, that he ma^ take you 
away, if he pleasrs, or raise you up?" 

J. " Pray, that God's will may be done." 

Sometimes he was very nei vous, and would 
ask those near him to go away, and leave him 
alone, but if prayer was proposed, he always 
desired it, and never did he shew any disrelish 
for this, or for hearinc/ the scriptures. He often 
requested his parents to read the Bible to him, 
and they generally asked, where he would have 
them read. He generally referred it to them, 
but once requested to have the first chapter of 
Job read, and once where it says: '* Son give 
me thy heart." During the reading he was al- 
ways attentive, and if not too weak, or in great 
pain, had some questions to propose, as to the 
meaning of the part read, or the character of 
the persons named. The character of Job he 
admired, but it puzzled him much to discover 
why such a good man should be so much afflict- 
ed. That wicked people should be punished he 
admitted, but then why the good must suffer, 
w^as a mystery, as it is to many. When told 
however, that God did it to make them better, 
and prepare them for more happiness in heaven, 
he was satisfied. 

One day, lying in bed, he groaned, and com- 
plained of pain. To divert his mind, his moth- 
er said to him : *' Think, my son, there is a 

man at Mrs. 's who is much more afflicted 

than you are. He cannot help himself at all." 
His father was in the room, and he said : *^ Fa- 
ther you had better go and see him, and talk to 



JOHN M. MEAD. 7^ 

him closely." His mother asked him : '* Close- 
ly about what, my son?'' He replied : *' You 
know." But his parents had no doubt what he 
meant, for he frequently spoke of talking closely 
to persons about religion, and now he wished to 
use no more words than necessary, as he spoke 
with pain. 

Another time, when suffering much with a 
blister, and probably with internal pains, his 
mother remarked : " Thougii you suffer much, 
my dear son, God does not willingly afflict, or 
grieve the children of men." He asked : '* Why 
don't he?" He was told of the love and good- 
ness of God, and that our sins are the cause of 
our suffering — that he suffered, because his pa- 
rents from Adam had sinned, and he had sinned 
against God, who is so kind and merciful. He 
seemed to have discovered consolation in this 
truth, and complained very little ever after. 

His convictions of sin appear to have been, at 
times, very clear and in a degree distressing, 
as is probably the case with all Christians. Early 
in his sickness he said : ** Mother, I cannot 
help sometimes bursting into tears." 

M, *' Bursting into tears ! for what, my son ?" 

J, *' The same that did that Sab- 
bath." (Referring to a person he had seen to 
weep in meeting.) 

M. '' Well what did for ?" 

J. '' You know." 

M. *' But I meant you to tell irie what you 
think he did for." 

J. ** Because he had lived in rebellion against 
God so long." 

0* 



78 MEMOIR OF 

How abiding this conviction was, no one can 
tell, but fie often appeared firrjeved, and humbled, 
when his sins were mentioned, and frequently 
prayed for pardon, and a new and holy heart. 
It may not be improper here to mention, that 
his parents had never encouraged him to be- 
lieve, that he had been born again, fearing, that 
it might have an ill tendency. They tauglit him 
the truths of the Bible, and gave him an ac- 
count of lives of eminent Christians, and left him 
to form his own opinion of himself. Without 
her intention, he once got the idea, that his 
mother considered him a Christian, but it was 
not cherished by any encouragement. Yet he 
scarcely appeared for months, if for years, to en- 
tertain a doubt of his being a new-born person, 
always spoke as considering himself a Christian 
at heart, and acted on that supposition, shewing, 
that he considered pious people his companions 
and dearest friends. 

The last Sabbath of his life, he appeared very 
ill in the morning, and his parents requested 
prayers in public : *' That God would sanctify 
his soul, and either restore him to health, or 
take him to himself,*' At night he seemed bet- 
ter, and his mother told him " the peojile had 
been praying for him, and God had heard their 
prayers, and she hoped his life wor.ld be spared." 
He asked : ** Why do you wish my life to be 
spared ?" She replied : ** Because we should be 
so unhappy without our only son." He express- 
ed no desire to recover. 

This week he was feeble, and sometimes 
nervous, and his parents discouraged his talking. 



JOHN M. MKAD. 79 

Sometimes he seemed in deep study, and then 
\vould commence talking on some topic of relig- 
ion, and continue till lol<l he must not tnlk 
any more. Not unlrequently he was stopped 
immediately, before finishing a sentence, but a 
few thmirs are remembered. One day he said : 

*' Mother, and make very foolish 

prayers." 

M. "• How foolish, my son V 

J. *' Because they do. I told them if they 
did not [)ray better, God would not hear them. 
I told them they must pray better, or they would 
not go to heaven." 

This week he twice, without any introduction, 
told his mother, he thought he could stand be- 
fore the judgmeot seat of Christ, and when 
asked if it was because he had been a sjood 
boy, or because he loved Christ, he replied : 
** Because 1 love Christ." 

Repeatedly, when requested to take medicine, 
and wishing to be excused, lie was told he must 
take it, because the doctor was very kind to him, 
and wished him to get well. lie asked : ** What 
for does the doctor wish me to get well ?" 

One day this week, his father being alone 
with him, he said : *' Father I want to talk with 
the doctor." 

F. '* About what, my son?" 

J. ** About Jesus Christ," 

The doctor had by his constant attendance 
and kindness, won his affection, and he had 
heard, that he was not a professor of religion. 
This was no doubt the occasion of hii wish. 



so MEMOIR OF 

Bat he never had an opportunity to do what he 
really desired. 

The day previous to that of his death he 
seemed relieved, and shewed no symptoms of 
specific disease, except a cout^h, and a leaiiing 
to the left side. His parents and the physician, 
thought him better, although feeble. Each of 
his parents, when alone with him, prayed with 
him repeatedly. When his father asked what he 
should pray for, John replied : " Pray that I may 
be holy, and fit for heaven.'"' When asked if he 
often prayed for it in his heart, he said *' Yes." 

Once when asked by his mother, what she 
should pray for, he replied : '* That this sick- 
ness may not be unto death." 

31. '* Shall I pray for that, or that the will of 
God may be done V ^ 

J. '* That the will may be done." 

This elliptical mode of speech he often used, 
especially when it hurt liim to speak. His lan- 
guage was always concise, and perspicuous, but 
more so w^hen sick, than ever. 

This day he was told his father had bought 
some figs, and it was hoped they would strength- 
en him, so that he would get about. He asked : 
** Why do you wish me to get well ?" Seeming 
to wonder, that his parents could desire it, when 
he desired rather to depart and be with Christ, 

That evening he was very much distressed, 
but could specify no particular part where he 
suffered. When asked- where he felt bad, he 
said : *' All over." He frequently desired to 
have his pillow placed on different parts of the 
bed, but after a while said, there was no com- 



JOHN M. MSAD. 81 

fortable place in his bed. He could be still but 
for a moment, yet when his father proposed to 
pray wiih him, he at once became calm, and so 
continued till the close of [)rayer. 

The next morning he seemed better, and the 
physician had hope of a speedy recovery, left 
iiim some bark, and directed more nourishing 
food, than had been given him. He was at first 
loath to take the bark, but his mother told him 
his father was making a strawberry bed in the 
garden, and he might pick some for her, when 
they should grow. He took the bark, but said 
nothing. 

He was placed in a chair, at the window, to 
see a man at work in the garden, but appeared 
to have lost all interest in it. When spoken to 
about it, he made no reply, but looked at his 
mother in such a way, that she thought : ' He 
has done with this world ; why should 1 trou- 
ble him.' During the day he gained strength, 
and ate with a little more appetite, but said very 
little. It seemed to give him pain to talk. 

In the afternoon his mother was holding him 
up on the couch provided for him near the fire, 
when she said to him : ** My son, we hope God 
will bless the means for your recovery, but you 
may die. Are you willing to die and leave your 
dear father and mother V 

He replied : ** Yes.*' 

M. *' What makes you willing?" 

J. ** I cannot tell you," meaning probably, 
that it hurt him to talk, as he had previously 
said. 



82 MEMOIR OP 

M, **I wish you to telJ me in your own 
words." 

J. •* I cannot." 

31. ** Is it because yon think yon have been 
a good boy, or because you love Christ?" 

J. ^* Because 1 love Christ." 

At his request his mother read to him from 
the Bible, and related the history of Joseph, 
which he always admired. 

As he sat on the couch, and could not con- 
verse, his father gave him two dollars to amuse 
him. His mother seeing him playing with them, 
asked him how many Bibles they would buy for 
those poor children who had none. He an- 
swered : ** I do not know." Sometime after he 
asked how many they would buy. Towards 
evening he shewed them to his father, and said : 
" Father, may I ow7i these?" distinguishing be- 
tween have and own. Probably he thought of the 
Bibles, as he had often wept when told of the poor 
heathen children who have no one to tell tliern 
of the Saviour, and spoke frequently of sending 
them the Bible, and repeatedly said : *' When 1 
am a man like my father, I will go and preach 
Jesus Christ to them. He had a Bible sent to 

him by Mr. R , of Philadelphia, which he 

valued highly, both because it was sent to him 
by a good man, and because it contained the 
gospel of Jesus Christ. 

In the evening he seemed stronger than for 
some days, and set up in a chair more than an 
hour. About eight o'clock his father came from 
the study, found him sitting, but looking dis- 
tressed, and soon removed him to the couch, 



JOHN M. MEAD. 83 

and held his head. Before being removed he 
seemed distressed for breath, and frequeutly 
coughed without raising, seeming very weak at 
the lungs. 

His father asked him : ** Can't yon, my son, 
cough so as to raise ?" lie shook his head, 
meaning no. 

Soon he said : *' O dear ! I wish I could cough 
so as to raise." Tlien in a few minutes : '* O 
dear ! I am a poor boy. An't I a poor boy, fa- 
ther ?" 

His distress increased fast, and soon after 
being laid on the couch, he complained of being 
cold, and was wrapt in a warm covering. He 
wished to be removed, and when put on the 
couch again his father felt a cold sweat on his 
face, and observed : ** Now we must be sure an 
abscess is forming ;" this having been mention- 
ed as the greatest danger, and cold sweat the 
common signs of it. Soon he asked again to be 
removed, and seemed in more distress. His 
mother removed him, he immediately sank 
down, as if he had fainted. She cried : ** O 
husband ! he is going." His father ran round 
the couch, and laid him on it, and held his 
head on his own bosom, wiping the cold sweat 
from his face and bathing his head in camphor. 
He seemed to revive a little, and asked to be 
again removed, but was told to remain a minute. 
J J is parents perceived he was dying, and com- 
mitted his soul to his faithful covenant God, to 
whom they had early (dedicated him for life, 
deatli and eternity. His father asked him, if 
he knew his father and mother, lie looked at 



84 MEMOIR OF 

each earnestly, and affectionately, but said noth- 
ing. Soon he gasped twice, then breathed a 
few times with difficulty, and his soul was gone. 
For a minute it was thought possible^ that he 
had fainted, and efforts were made to resuscitate 
hiu), but in vain ; his soul had been received 
by angels, and gone to join the company of little 
children around God's tiirone. There he had 
wished to go; that he might be prepared for it, 
he had prayed thousands of times, and desir- 
ed others to pray ; there all his inquiries will 
be answered by infinite wisdom, and his thirst 
for knowledge, and his ardent desires for sancti- 
fication will be completely satisfied. IJis trials 
are over, his sorrows ended : the perils of the 
journey are all surmounted, and he has reached 
his eternal home, and found ease from pain, 
rest fiom toil, and all the powers of his active, 
vigorous mind are now empk^ed in looking into 
God's works, and the ways of truth, and serv- 
ing him whom angels worship and saints de- 
light to praise. 

In a few minutes his features were all com- 
posed, as when asleep, with that mildness, and 
calm dignity for which he was ever admired by 
all who knew him. 

His parents had not allowed him to be called 
beautiful, lest it should corrupt his mind, and 
make him vain ; but as he lay before them life- 
less, few that saw him, but would exclaim : 
How beautiful ! How lovely even in death ! 

It was Friday, April 8th, 1831, about nine 
o'clock at night, when the soul was freed from 
its clayey tenement. The tempest was raging 



JOHN M. MEAD. flg 

without, and thick darkness covered the land, 
but all was peace within, fit emblem of the agi- 
tations of the expiring body, and the peace of 
the soul resting on the bosom of a Saviour. 

Thus he lived his day, and thus he died, 
aged four years, eleven months, and four days. 

The Sabbath came, and the numerous school 
assembled in the house of God ; the body was 
carried there, and lay near the place where he had 
delighted his teacher and his companions with 
promptness in his lesson, and his affection, and 
docility, while receiving instruction. The Rev. 
Dr. Havves, of Hartford, w^ho had been lately, 
called to a bereavement similar to that of the 
mourning parents, addressed the audience in a 
sermon not designed as a funeral discourse, not 
to speak of the dead, but to call the living to a 
preparation for eternity. It is believed his words 
were not lost, as seed sown by the way-side. 

From the house of God, the people repaired to 
the repository of the dead. There were seen no 
costly array of mourning apparel, and no useless 
funeral pomp. Six boys, three of whom had 
been John's class-mates in the Sabbath School, 
carried his body to the grave, and his parents 
and friends, and all the school, followed, and 
there was real sorrow ; for many knew him, and 
all who knew, loved him. 

When they arrived at the grave, and the body 
had taken possession of its resting place, the be- 
reaved father addressed the numerous assembly, 
saying : *' My friends, when I came among you 
a few months ago, little did I think it was to lay 
my beloved son so soon in this earth, with your 
7 



86 MEMOIR OF • 

ancestors and friends. But the Lord knoweth 
best what should be, and to him I submit. He 
is my witness, that I have not shrank from even 
this, could I see your salvation. Yes, my friends, 
he is my witness, that when I have been praying 
for the outpouring of his Spirit on you, the ques- 
tion has seemed to come to me plainly almost as 
in words, ' Are you willing, as a condition of 
your prayer being answered, to give up all ? Are 
you willing, if I please, to be laid aside from 
your labors ? Can you consent to part with even 
that beloved boy V And I have answered, ^ Yes, 
Lord ; send thy Spirit, and take what thou wilt.* 
He has taken me at my word ; he has poured out 
his Spirit, and taken my son ; and if it can be the 
means of your salvation, I joyfully submit. O, 
prepare, young and old, to follow him, and join 
with me, and say, * The Lord gave, and the Lord 
hath taken away, blessed be the name of the 
Lord.' "* 

Many were the tears shed around the grave, 
and as the people retired, it is believed many 
went to pray, that God might prepare them to go 
in peace, as this child had gone. 

Over his grave has been erected a plain mar- 
ble slab, with this inscription : — 

* The speaker on this affecting occasion, the father who thus 
committed the remains of a beloved son to the dust, was himself 
called to resign his spirit to God on the 2()th of October follow- 
ing, and his body now reposes by the side of his sleeping babe 
m " the narrow house.'^ May that blessing which he so ardent- 
ly sought at the sacrifice of his dearest comforts, and which be- 
yond doubt was his strongest desire in death, be abundantly 
conferred on his bereaved lock, and on their children and then- 
children's children. 



JOHN M. MEAD. 



67 



In Memory of 

JOHN xM. 

Son of Rev. Asa and Mrs. Jane G. Mead, 

Born at Brunswick, 

In the state of Maine, May 4th, 1S26, 

Died in the hope of a blessed immortality, April 8th, 

1831. 

LUKE XVIII. 16, 17. 

The following poetry, composed by a lady ol 
Ea?t Hartford, will speak to the heart of each 
bereaved parent, while it shows the feelings cher- 
ished by all who knew this child. It was ad- 
dressed to his mother, a few days after the fune- 
ral. 

TO MRS. MEAD. 

He was a lovely boy ; 
Health spread its halo round him. and the smile 
Of animated joy was blended with 
A look of hiirli and holy intellect, 
That struck tlie observer, as he passed along ; 
And he would turn his head, and sigh, and say, 
" 'T would not be long of earth." 

And so it proved — 
Fond mother, so it proved. — Oil ! hast thou not. 
In all thy heart's full rapture, oft times looked 
As thou would'st pierce the vt-il that hid from theo 
The future, and imag'd forth what he might 
Chance to be — a herald of ihe cross — a 
Slrrtng" man armed — iinbu+^d with wisdom from 
On hii^Hi — miirhty in word and deed ? — Oh ! has 
He thus a[)pcared to thy foud vision ? — And 
Then would come the panir of separation, 
Even as if real, — then, too, would come 
The pledge and promise, held to those, whose strong, 
Unwavering faith, would give up all — even 
All for Christ. — And thou wast far above the 



88 MEMOIR OF 

World, — perchance a different scene might be at 
Times brought up to view. But let a veil rest 
On it, — 't is a Mother's privilege to draw 
The picture as she lists, and from the -warm 
Affections of the heart, the pencil takes 
Its coloring ; and oh, how bright and vivid 
Are its liues. 

The hand of God was on him, 
And he fell — even in the spring-time of his 
Life, with all his blossoms gathered round him. 
The promised fruit, where is it ? — Maturing 
In the sky, amid the vyarrath and light of 
Uncreated love. And shall we weep ? — 'T is 
Nature's hallowed boon, in mercy given. 
To soothe the stricken soul. Tears then may flow, 
And thou wilt find them coursing down thy cheek, 
When, in thy lonely hours, no eye but that 
Of God is on thee. When summer twilight 
Clothes the heavens in beauty, and when the 
Uplifted stars seem praising their Creator, thou 
Wilt think on thy beloved : for then it was 
Tliy wonted time to bend his knee beside 
Thine own — to takf^ Jiis little hands in thine. 
And raise them upward, while the prayer of faith 
Broke from thy fervent lips : — " Lord, make him thine." 
He will be still before thee — his playful 
]\lovements round the hearth vvill meet thee there — and 
His all questioning tones will steal upon thine 
Ear, amid the voices of the world, with 
A subdued and holy sweetness, that will 
Sink into thine iieart. Yes, and the last — last 
Look. Oh ! this requires o^tr -mastering faith to 
Tear it from the grasp of cherished, recollected love. 

C. S. 

And is not his lot a blessed one? He was, 
from the first, the subject of many prayers, for 
the blessing of God upon bim. He was the con- 
stant care of parents who had no greater delight, 
connected with this world, than to make him 
happj. His naturally lovely disposition was 



JOHN M. MEAD. 89 

cherished to the utmost, so that he was ever a 
most happy child. His mind was early cultivat- 
ed with care, and ^cd with knowledge, and di- 
vine truth, and kept constantly in happy exercise. 
He was the object of approbation and love to all 
who knew him, and enjoyed uniformly good 
health, and lively, cheerful spirits. But above 
all, he early had the spirit of piety found in tiim, 
and after a short probation, has been called from 
all his troubles and sorrows to mansions of ever- 
lasting bliss, to serve the God whom he loved 
and adored, forever and ever. True, he has left 
his beloved parents, and num.erous friends, and 
brilliant earthly prospects, when, to his young 
mind, all appeared fair before him. But his pa- 
rents mourn not as those without hope. Their 
beloved child is only gone a little before them, 
and all that he loved of God's people, will soon 
be with him, never to part. The best of earthly 
prospects, what are they ? Soon clouded, and 
the fairest form withers, and the firmest health 
decays, and the most flattering views deceive ; 
but now he is beyond all disappointment, and 
fears no change. God is his teacher and father, 
angels and spirits of the blessed his companions, 
and heaven his home. What better could he 
ask ? What more could his loving parents and 
friends desire for him ? What more could God 
bestow ? 

Such are the views now of his most affection- 
ate friends — even of the father and mother who 
gave him life, and loved him. even perhaps too 
much. They would not call him back, but hope 
and prepare to meet him in heaven, in God's 
*7 



90 MEMOIR OF 

own time. Thus death assumes a most cheerful 
aspect, disarmed of all its terrors. 

It may be permitted to introduce the following 
Sabbath School Hymn, composed on the occa- 
sion of his death, by the same lady who wrote 
the poetry following the epitaph, who had felt a 
lively interest in John, while alive, and mourned 
him when dead. 

SABBATH SCHOOL HYMN. ^ 



Loved one, where is now thy rest. 
Sweetly on thy Sciviour's breast ? 
Dost thou now thj^ bliss begin, 
Freed from sorrow and from sin ? 

We are toiling here below, 
Where the troubled waters flow ; 
Thou hast reached the blissful shor- 
And will toil and weep no more. 

If thy gentle spirit may 
For thy young companions pray, 
Teach us from the realms above, 
How to prize a Saviour's love. 

We are destined thee to meet 
At our blessed Saviour's feet; 
Or to dwell in endless wo. 
Where the wicked surely go. 

Thou, indeed, hast gone before; 
Oh, tiiat we may sin no more; 
Then, when time with us is past, 
We shall find thy heaven at last. 

Loved one, oh, where is thy rest, 
Sweetly on thy Saviour's breast? 
Thou hast now thy bliss begun, 
And a crown of glory won. 



JOHN M. MEAD. 91 

Reader, are you a child ? See, from this ex- 
ample, that you are not too young to seek, and 
find a Saviour. You are not younger than John, 
not too young to believe in Christ, and repent of 
your sins, and love God, and pray to him often 
in your heart, when alone, and when with others. 
At two years old, his father and mother hoped 
John loved God. You are older than he, per- 
haps older than he was when he died. He felt 
he was a sinner, and lamented it ; and are not 
you a sinner? He repented, and prayed for par- 
don ; and can not you, even though a little child ? 
You are not too young to die. Your prospects 
are no better than were his, your health no better, 
your parents' desires for your life no greater than 
were the desires of his. Will you not, then, 
prepare to live to God, and to die, when he may 
please, and to join the company of children 
around God's tliroiie? If you will, repent noio^ 
pray now to be forgiven, for Jesus' sake, believe 
on him, and love God now ; and while you live, 
he will keep you, and when you die, he will save 
you, and take you home to heaven. 

Parents, who may read this, Are you doing 
your duty to your children ? They are probably 
not too young to sin, not too young to learn to 
serve God, not too young to die. Your example 
may very early d(;cido them foV eternal life or 
death. O, think them not too young to come to 
Jesus, nor too young to learn the way to heaven. 
Fill their young minds with heavQjily truth, and 
show yourselves its happy influence in your treat- 
ment of them, and your daily conduct before 
them. You may, like the parents of John, be 



92 MEMOIR OF J. M. MEAD. 

called early to lay them in the grave, but how 
sweet will be the anticipation of meeting them in 
heaven, if you h*ave led them to Jesus. In your 
prayers for them, and your instructions, are you 
laboring for their immediate conversion, or are 
you thinking not of this, but laboring, that it may 
take place some years hence ? Is not God as 
able to convert them immediately, as he was this 
child ? — as able to do it at the very first dawning 
of truth on their mind, as when they have sinned 
for years, and hardened their hearts against the 
truth? Imitate the Syrophenician woman, in 
your perseverance in prayer, and faith and effort ; 
and Christ will say to you, ** Be it unto thee even 
as thou wouldst." 

You may not have your dear little ones many 
years, but you will have them long enough to do 
your duty to them. Do it now, do it daily, do it 
in faith and prayer, and patient, persevering ef- 
fort, and you will secure an eternal blessing. 

Let not Sabbath School teachers despond, nor 
relax their efforts. Let them labor for the con^ 
version of their pupils now, and believe God able 
and willing to grant the blessing immediately, 
and pray for it in faith. Let them cherish every 
favorable disposition in the dear children ot their 
care, but count nothing accomplished, till the 
soul is converted, and they see from Sabbath to 
Sabbath, each child growing in grace, and in the 
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, 



TB£ END. 



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